OLD PLYMOUTH . UK
www.oldplymouth.uk
 

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth
Webpage created: April 08, 2022
Webpage updated: April 08, 2022

        

WHO WAS WHO IN OLD PLYMOUTH

'BLITZ' THE DOC MASCOT

A black and tan mongrel puppy ran into the ARP Rescue Depot in Mill Street, Plymouth, during a heavy raid on the City in 1941 and the team of rescuers adopted it as their mascot, giving it the appropriate name of 'Blitz'.

The 'Blitz' the Dog Mascot memorial Cross.
Courtesy of Steve Johnson, Cyberheritage.

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.'  It was said that 'Blitz' used to help the team find people trapped in the debris.

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 agreed with Plymouth Corporation that the cross would be placed every day on a tree where the old depot stood.

As Mill Street and the site of the depot soon disappeared beneath the reconstructed City Centre, the cross was removed to a tree in the Hoe Park section of Plymouth Hoe adjacent to Citadel Road.  It has been claimed, but is not confirmed, that the dog was buried near this spot.

After the original cross was stolen a replica was made but was not always on display.  Eventually that was stolen also.  Thanks to the efforts of Mr Butler, who was by now 83-years of age, Plymouth City Council placed a third cross on the tree in September 1979.  It is now on the wall of the refreshment hut near to its original position.