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November 16, 2004
An unusual Able Seaman
Just outside the Simonstown Naval Base is a most unusual memorial. This is the memorial to an even more unusual service "man" in the Royal Navy at this station. It is, in fact, a memorial to a dog. But, what a dog!
The statue to Able Seaman Nuisance, Just; Bone Crusher by profession and Scrounger by religion. Friend of RN matelots and their guardian, he died of wounds received in a confrontation with a car and was mourned by all his shipmates at the Base.
Just Nuisance was a Great Dane and belonged officially to the Base Chaplain. However, he was an inveterate wanderer and was always to be found wherever matelots were. He developed the habit of catching trains to Cape Town with them for "a run ashore" and would always round up any who were adrift or drunk and make sure they caught the last train back to Simonstown. On more than one occassion he saved a "shipmate" from attack or mugging, and several times was credited with rescuing injured shipmates who would have died if they had not been found after being attacked.
The RN, in its own inimitable way, recognised that they had a volunteer who would not take no for an answer. So they issued him with his own Pay Book, Serial Number, and Rate as an Able Seaman - although he never went to sea and always knew when a ship was about to leave, getting ashore before anyone could "shanghai" him. He even had his own bunk at HMS Afrikander 1 and his own train pass.
He died, sadly, after being hit by a car and was buried with full military honours in the Naval Cemetary at Simonstown. A most unusual career, and a most unusual dog - but one that was very fondly remembered by all who met and served with him. Much more than a mere mascot, Just Nuisance was a personality around the Cape and there are still men alive who knew him, and who remember his determined efforts to ensure his "shipmates" got back before the "Jaunty" would be out looking for them or simply looked after them when they were in trouble.
His memorial is always decorated with flowers and a wreath appears on it around Remebrance Day each year.
Posted by The Gray Monk at November 16, 2004 10:07 AM
Comments
I have always loved the way the RN treats thier own reguardless of who or what they were. All that ever matter was service to RN.
Posted by: skipjack at November 16, 2004 07:05 PM