Wartime story of
‘Straddle’, the flying mascot
When a Canadian squadron flew their Sunderland flying
boats into Pembroke Dock in November 1944 they brought
along their mascot, a black cocker spaniel named
Straddle.
Young Straddle, less than a year old, soon made a name
for himself in wartime PD - often for the wrong reasons,
like when he chased the station commander’s sheep or dug
up garden plants!
Now after nearly 70 years, Straddle’s story has been
told - in ‘Straddle, Webfoot War Dog’, the latest
book penned by Pembrokeshire aviation historian John
Evans.
As the squadron mascot, Straddle had his own logbook
which recorded several operational flights he made in
Sunderlands, alongside his master, Canadian pilot Lloyd
Detwiller. And the logbook also noted his many escapades
and transgressions.
Starting as a lowly Aircraftsman, Straddle was promoted
to commissioned rank and as ‘Pilot Officer Straddle’
proudly led a parade through Pembroke Dock in May 1945.
In ‘Straddle, Webfoot War Dog’ John has brought
together this little dog’s action-packed story, covering
the last 18 months of World War II, and it is
illustrated with 60 photographs - from the logbook and
from John’s own collection.
‘Straddle, Webfoot War Dog’
is published by Paterchurch Publications, 8 Laws Street,
Pembroke Dock, SA72 6DL (Tel 01646 683041), and is
available from the publishers, from local bookshops and
from the Pembroke Dock Sunderland Trust’s two locations
- the Flying Boat Centre at Fort Road, and the Fleets to
Flying Boats Centre, The Terrace in the Royal Dockyard.
It costs £8.95.
Straddle up to his neck in beach party celebrations at
Broad Haven, near Bosherston, soon after the war had
ended.
