The Hour

The Sea Dog Bamse, a 14 stone St Bernard dog that came to Montrose from his home in Norway during World War Two, has had a new book release chronicling his amazing life as a sailor aboard a Norwegian minesweeper. The authors, Andrew Orr and Angus Witson hope this, along with his statue, will enable his memory to live on.

The interesting story of Bamse the sea dog started in Norway when his owner was enlisted in the army in World War Two and he took Bamse with him. The big dog soon became a much loved member of the crew.

Andrew Orr, a GP from Montrose, became interested in the story and decided to write the book with his co-author Angus Wilton who has a weekly column One Man and his Dog in the Dundee Courier.

Andrew explained: “He was enlisted into the Royal Norwegian navy, officially, on the 9th of February 1940 and he became an official crew member, which meant he could get his rations.” 

When Norway was invaded by Germany in 1940 the ship Bamse was on came over to Scotland and operated out of Montrose and Dundee. Bamse soon became a popular character around the town of Montrose where he was regularly seen with his Norwegian crew mate in the local pub, travelling on the buses and even taking part in football matches.

However, although Bamse was a gentle mascot and loved in the community he was also very active in the war effort having saved two crew member of the Norwegian ship Thorodd. He was decorated for his heroics aboard his ship.

“He saved two lives, witnessed events, which earned him the PDSA gold medal posthumously and he is the only wartime dog to be awarded the PDSA gold medal retrospectively,” Andrew said.

He was also awarded the Norway Dog Order in 1984 when it was introduced to celebrate canine hero by the Norwegian equivalent of the RSPCA. Bamse was the first recipient of this award.

Bamse is still well remembered in Montrose with a statue that was erected to his memory in 2006, which was unveiled by Prince Andrew. His grave is in the town also which is well kept by the locals and visited often by visitors from Norway who wish to honour their national war hero.  This is perhaps why he was not buried at sea like most sailors so he can be remembered and visited.

Angus is keen to point out he will not soon be forgotten.

“There are still people who were children and at school when Bamse was wandering the streets of Montrose and they would feed him sweeties through the school gates… some of them remember getting piggy backs on his back so he is well remembered by the old people and I think now because of the book he is now well known among the children.”

Sea Dog Bamse is a fitting tribute to the life of an extraordinary dog. Bamse has even been immortalised in a commemorative tartan which pays tribute to both his Norwegian and Scottish roots.