Memorial to Royal Navy's only enlisted dog is desecrated by scrap metal thieves

Able Seaman Just Nuisance is the only dog ever to have been enlisted in the Royal Navy, serving from 1939 to his death in 1944

Able Seaman Just Nuisance is the only dog ever to have been enlisted in the Royal Navy, serving from 1939 to his death in 1944

The only dog to ever officially sign up to join the Royal Navy has had a statue to his memory outside a former British World War 2 base where he served faithfully  desecrated by scrap metal thieves.

The infamous Great Dane called Just Nuisance was enlisted in 1939 when 'volunteers' were needed in the fight against Germany and proudly did his duty until his tragic death after being hit by a car in 1944.

He was buried with full military honours including a firing party over his grave and a bugler played the Last Post. 

The news of his death was even transmitted to every British ship and naval base in the world.

In honour of the gigantic hound, who was befriended by thousands of sailors during his service at the then vital British naval base in Simon's Town, South Africa, a large bronze statue of him was cast.

It stands on Jubilee Square outside his former military home, but now the bronze copy of his former RN cap and collar which lay in front of his paws on the statue have been chiselled off and probably sold for scrap.

They were not attached to the statue of Just Nuisance himself that sits atop a granite boulder, because he never liked wearing them.

There are also fears that the scrap metal thieves may return to steal the whole statue and melt it down for scrap cash. 

A bronze statue of the Great Dane on Jubilee Square in Simon's town has had a replica of his cap and collar chiselled off by thieves who are believed to have stolen it from scrap

A bronze statue of the Great Dane on Jubilee Square in Simon's town has had a replica of his cap and collar chiselled off by thieves who are believed to have stolen it from scrap

Just Nuisance on a train seat on the railway line that got him into trouble before he was enlisted into the Royal Navy by sailors who didn't want to see him put down

Just Nuisance on a train seat on the railway line that got him into trouble before he was enlisted into the Royal Navy by sailors who didn't want to see him put down

The theft has brought outrage to the naval town and a reward has been put up to catch those responsible.

News of the theft will bring anger to locals and the generations of British sailors who know the Great Dane's remarkable story.

Just Nuisance was enrolled into the British Navy after being threatened with being put down by the local railway company for accompanying serving sailors on the train into Cape Town to visit local bars.

Dogs were not allowed on the train for free and although the sailors tried to hide the dog, which stood at two metres tall on his hind legs, it was not always possible and he was often thrown off the train by ticket inspectors.

Just Nuisance however had learned how to work the railways and would just wait for the next train and hop on it and join other sailors on their way into Cape Town.

A naval officer touches noses with Just Nuisance. The dog befriended thousands of sailors who would pass through the naval base during the war

A naval officer touches noses with Just Nuisance. The dog befriended thousands of sailors who would pass through the naval base during the war

He would accompany them to pubs, clubs and concerts in Cape Town and then round them up when it was time for the last train back home to Simon's Town before escorting them safely to their ships.

Exasperated railway chiefs warned the sailors that if they caught the fare dodger on the train again he would be put down, so to save him the sailors appealed for help from their shore base Commander-in-Chief.

After much thought, Commander Charles Shakespeare decided to enlist Just Nuisance into the Royal Navy as an Ordinary Seaman with the trade of 'Bone Crusher' and the religious denomination of 'Scrounger'.

Just Nuisance’s official RN collar with his name and rank. By becoming a bona-fide member of the Royal Navy on August 25, 1939, he received full sailors rights

Just Nuisance’s official RN collar with his name and rank. By becoming a bona-fide member of the Royal Navy on August 25, 1939, he received full sailors rights

He underwent and passed a full medical and had to sign his enlistment papers with a giant paw print.

And by becoming a bona-fide member of the Royal Navy on August 25, 1939, he received full sailors rights.

This meant he received a pass that entitled him to free rail travel and his Royal Navy pass was attached to his collar infuriating the railway chiefs who could no longer stop Just Nuisance travelling on their trains.

The cunning Commander's move to officially enlist him into the navy thwarted the South African Railways & Harbours company and meant he could travel legally and the ticket inspectors could do nothing about it.

In 1940 he got his first official posting to the shore base HMS Afrikander at the Simon's Town base which oversaw the needs of all the Royal Navy's visiting ships.

Sailors pose with Nuisance as, but he refuses the offer of a drink from a bottle

Sailors pose with Nuisance as, but he refuses the offer of a drink from a bottle

His popularity among sailors in raising morale led to him being quickly promoted to Able Seaman which entitled

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