The fabulous tale of WW2 hero dog Gunner - 'Better than any early warning system'

This is such a wonderful story and I knew as soon as I saw it I needed to share. This is another example if one is needed, of our relationship with animals and how they protect and assist us, asking for very little in return.

This was shared on the Facebook group Wellingborough now and then by Ian Brown and it involves his uncle. A massive thank you to Ian for sharing this and for allowing me to add this to our blog. It’s a short piece but I’m hoping we can get some more background as it’s a lovely story and it would be worth expanding…maybe even a book…

John Harry Brown served in the Second World War as a bombardier. Ian isn’t sure of the regiment but said they just knew him as Uncle Jack.

The dogs name in this story is gunner and Ian recounts -

‘My uncle brought him back from WW2 he was raised and slept under my uncles anti- aircraft gun. The gun crew shared their rations to feed him. By the time he was 18 months old my uncle said he would stand up and look at the sky. If he lay back down they knew all was ok. If he growled and put his hackles up they got at the ready. He knew the sound of the German aircraft and my uncle said he never got it wrong. He said gunner was better than any early warning system’

It’s very poignant that Ian added ‘I’m probably the only one left in the family that knows that story now so I thought I’d tell it before it’s lost forever like many story’s must be from that time, so thanks for reading it.

Thanks again Ian you have certainly saved this wonderful story from being lost.

Bombardier John Harry Brown ‘Uncle Jack’ and the very smart and aptly named Gunner