Just Nuisance
Just Nuisance was the only dog to be officially enlisted in the Royal Navy. He was a Great Dane who served on the HMS Afrikander between 1939 and 1944 at the Royal Navy Base in Simonstown.
Just Nuisance came to Simonstown as a pup, his owners ran the United Service Institute, a local hang out for sailors from the Royal Navy. He was a friendly dog and big for his breed. He was treated well by the sailors with walks, snacks, pies and even the odd beer.He became fond of his new friends and followed them everywhere, often escorting drunken sailors home from the pub or train station.
However, it was the habit of following sailors onto the trains that caused trouble. He liked to go with the sailors to a pub in Cape Town, some 22 miles away. Just Nuisance always occupied a whole seat and never bothered with a train ticket much to the annoyance of the railway inspector. He would order the dog to be removed at the next stop, however this was not a problem as Nuisance would simply get the next train and be on his way again. Other times Nuisance didn't feel like getting off the train as ordered by the inspector and just simply stayed put. The inspector could not physically force a dog of that size off the train and the sailors were certainly not going to help him.
When Nuisance slept, he did not curl up like any other dog, but stretched taking up a whole bed and when he decided he was tired, simply chose an empty bed for the night. The poor sailor who finally made it home after a nights drinking, could not move the dog and was forced to sleep on the floor.
Many civilians tried to befriend him but they were snubbed as Just Nuisance was a sailors dog.
Unfortunately in January 1944 he was hit by a car and developed a thrombosis which was slowly paralysing him. It was decided he would be put down. He was laid to rest with full military honours on 1 April 1944.
There is a statue of him in Jubilee square in Simonstown, to make sure this wonderful dog is never forgotten.
For more stories on this wonderful dog, there is a book "Just Nuisance" True story of an able seaman who led a dogs life by Leslie Steyn.
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Wow. Thank you very much, I will definitely go to your page and check it out.
What an excellent story! This dog was amazing...but I| wouldn't want to share a bed with him. LOL
Me neither, but glad I wasn't the sailor coming home drunk, finding my bunk occupied by a large dog!
ah, what a touching story.. Thank you! I found you via @shadowspub's @steemitramble account xxx
Thank you, I will certainly go and check out @shodowspub @steemitramble.
Glad you liked the story of Just Nuisance
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Thank you very much