THE Red Paw was a tiny badge worn by dog handlers alongside their regimental badge when working as part of the Army Dog Unit Northern Ireland (ADU NI) from 1973-2007.
An association of handlers was formed last October and has been an overwhelming success. The main objective was to fund a new memorial for colleagues and dogs killed while working with the ADU NI, and for this to be placed at a prominent public site.
The funding was achieved during the first three months of 2009, solely from donations from members and friends, and the new memorial is to be unveiled at a ceremony on August 1 at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, Staffordshire.
We would desperately like to find more handlers before August 1 so that they, too, will have the opportunity to take part in the very final event of the ADU history.
For more details, please write to me at the address below, or email pressliaison@armydogunit-ni.co.uk Robert Shevill, 99 Carnarc Crescent, Inverness, IV3 8SJ.
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