Dunkirk Inspired Dog Names

The Winston we're talking about for this article's featured famous dog isn't the one who gave rousing speeches and made pithy sayings but who nevertheless made major contributions to the Allies in his own special way. The Airedale Terrier of the hour is actually one of the few animals that contributed to the war effort enough that he was granted a formal rank in the armed services. By the end of World War II, Winston the Airedale Terrier was granted the rank of Private due to his valor and courage. Winston was also an outstanding messenger dog who was able to weave through battlefields with grace and guile. Though Airedale Private Winston's story ends in triumph, it certainly didn't begin that way. 

You see, Winston was actually something of a troublemaker during the early 1930's; the family that looked after him have gone on record saying that the dog had a nasty habit of attacking other dogs. Winston's human caretakers were mystified by his tendency to lash out at other dogs, namely because he was such a warm and friendly dog most of the time. Winston's bad behavior eventually started to become a real burden for his human family members - right around the time that the Nazi war machine had set its sights on Great Britain. 

When the war broke out, everything changed; families were uprooted from their homes and pets were either separated from their human families or outright murdered during an event known as the British Pet Massacre. Groups like the Royal Society for the Protection of Animals, The Animal Protection Societies of Scotland and Ireland, and The Canine Defence League acted to save animals like Winston from the Massacre, aiming to convince the British Government that dogs, in particular, could actually help the war effort in a number of intricate ways. When word got out that the Germans were employing breeds like German Shepherds, Doberman Pincers,  and Airedales in their ranks the British Crown decided to give the same tactic a shot.

Winston was a part of the wave of dogs that the British retrained to help them out on the battlefield. It was here that Winston would be able to use the tenacity that once got him in trouble for the greater good; just as the Airedale had been fearless when facing off against other dogs, he remained fearless when delivering messages and ammunition to soldiers on the front lines. Winston became so proficient at his task that he was given the title of Private, and a cute little helmet, as a token of appreciation.