He was given the name Gunner by the small team who at the time were predominantly from the Artillery. Gunner is remembered with great affection, especially by those who owned dogs back in New Zealand and understood their temperament.
Gunner was a vigilant and vocal guard dog who would keep intruders at bay whilst warning his Kiwi masters of uninvited people approaching the patrol base. An intelligent, tough and loyal dog, Gunner was almost as tall as he was long, and weighed some 80 kgs. He was a very big dog with a strong muscular build, bear-like head, and powerful muzzle. Typical of his breed he was independent, fiercely territorial, and with his thick white coat he was well able to adapt and brave the rugged mountainous winter conditions.
They were characteristics that resonated well with the Kiwi military personnel who befriended Gunner whilst deployed in Afghanistan as part of the NATO led International Security Assistance Force, 2003 – 2013.
Although he was not a military dog, Gunner won the hearts of a myriad of Kiwi patrol members who rotated through the patrol base, and entrenched himself as a valued team member.
The excitement he showed greeting patrol members when they returned to the base had to be handled with some caution as Gunner was prone to knock over those unprepared for his attention. That enthusiasm was matched by Gunner’s love of the snow and he was not bothered in the slightest even when temperatures dropped to minus 20 degrees Celsius and lower.
For soldiers far from home, Gunner provided both companionship and a valued independent non-judgemental ear; many, albeit one way conversations were shared with him, especially during the solitary hours of darkness.
The ever alert Gunner added depth to the patrol base security arrangements. He often revealed that he was prepared to defend and protect. His presence contributed to a sense of relief and peace of mind for Kiwi military personnel – this was no insignificant matter given the isolated location of the patrol base and the often weary small team based there.
It is unlikely that relationships between the New Zealand Defence Force and non-service animals will reach the levels experienced with Gunner and other animals like him; this is what makes this account all the more significant.
The Blue Cross Medal is one of the highest honours an animal can receive for serving in military conflict. Gunner joins two other New Zealand war animals who have received the award – Ceaser, the bulldog mascot of A Company, 4th Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade during World War 1; and Bess, a black thoroughbred who served with the Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiment in World War 1.
