PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
|||
 |
||||
|
'BLITZ' THE DOG MASCOT MEMORIAL CROSS
The Memorial to 'Blitz' the dog mascot is located on a tree in the Hoe Park section of Plymouth Hoe, opposite the Holiday Inn Hotel, although the Memorial is not always on display because previous version have been stolen.
The black and tan mongrel puppy ran into the ARP Rescue Depot in Mil Street, Plymouth, during a heavy raid in 1941 and the team of rescuers adopted it as their mascot, giving it the appropriate name of 'Blitz'. [1] One of those men, Mr Edward Butler, related in 1979 how 'Blitz would sit in the old rocking chair at the depot keeping an eye on us. We were all so tired after a day's work that we would nod off as soon as the CO got his head down. But if anything stirred in the yard, Blitz would be there growling and pawing our heads to wake us up.' [1] Sadly Blitz was run over by a lorry in August 1942. Some carpenters made him a small coffin of oak and the rescue team agreed to provide an oak cross for him. Mr Butler signed with Plymouth Corporation that the cross would be placed every day on a tree where the old depot stood. [1] As Mill Street and the site of the depot soon disappeared beneath the reconstructed City Centre, the cross was removed to the current position on Plymouth Hoe. It is claimed, but not confirmed, that the dog was buried near this spot [2]. It is also said that 'Blitz' used to help find people trapped in the debris [2]. The first two crosses were both stolen and the third one was placed on the tree by Plymouth City Council in September 1979, thanks to the efforts of Mr Butler, who was then 83-years of age. [1] Sources:
|
||||