CPL Tiny
Reference: RACMP Museum, CPL Tinys' File, 2001
In 1974, the MP Corps was approached about acquiring a St Bernard dog as a Corps Mascot. He was accepted into the Corps and given the name of ‘Tiny’. CPL Tiny lived at the old 1 MCE, then based at Ingleburn NSW, where for all accounts he enjoyed his Army life.
As a Corps Mascot, Tiny was entitled to have certain "items of issue" and also had a "pers file" keeping track of his career. Like any good MP, Tiny was well presented and behaved at all times when performing his duties and managed to stay "out of trouble" and never had any discipline issues or reductions in rank, unlike other Corps Mascots of the Australian Army. Tiny was well known and loved throughout the Corps and the wider Army community. Tragically, on 14 December 1975, CPL Tiny died of heat exhaustion.
The following is a retype of a letter sent by Major J.M. Symington, Commandant 1MCE, dated 30 September 1974 to the Publicity Officer of the Sydney All Breeds Dog Training Club and gives a good account of CPL Tinys' life.
In April 1974, the Corps was approached through HQ 2nd Military District, located at Victoria Barracks, Sydney, and asked, if they were interested in acquiring a St Bernard Dog as a mascot. The answer was in the affirmative.
Subsequently, the dog was "interviewed" by Major Symington, and enlisted into the MP Corps, on the 30th April 1974. He became Private Tiny at that time.
He was allotted a permanent handler, and was accommodated at 1 MCE. His training commenced at once. Each morning, he is taken for a walk, and through out the day, in the early stages, he was trained in parade ground procedures, on formal parades.
Such actions as sitting, standing, marching and halting were instilled into him. He was further trained to Military Band Music, and the noises of motor cycles and motor vehicles.
To all these he responded well. His one failing being, that he does not like to be approached too quickly by strange people.
His first big parade, was at the opening of the Military Police Complex at Ingleburn, on the 13th June 1974, by Major General C.M.I. Pearson OBE, DSO, MC, in front of a large public audience. He performed extremely well.
Later after attending a Kennel Club Show at Campbelltown, he was made an Honorary member of that club.
Since then, he has attended many events, both Military and Civil.
In full dress, he wears a white collar and lead, with the traditional ‘Brandy’ flask suspended below his throat. In addition he has a coat, which is strapped on to him, in the MP Corps colours, black with red piping, and ‘MP’ in red on his flanks.
In recognition of his good conduct, and hard work, his promotion to Corporal {2nd September 1974}, was recently approved, and he now enjoys wearing two gold stripes on his coat.
On the 14th of December 1975, CPL Tiny died of "heat exhaustion". The following is a retype of the original report to the Commandant 1 MCE, dated 14 December 1975. It reads:
Sir,
I have to report, that on 14 Dec 75 I was in duty.
At about 0945 hrs, I was approached by CPL Montgomery of this unit, who informed me that Tiny, the unit St Bernard dog was sick. CPL Mongomery also informed me that Tiny had been playing with another dog, the property of SGT Lawson, also a member of this unit. During this time, Tiny had become exhausted and started to vomit.
At about 1000 hrs I contacted Veterinary Surgeon, Acland GM of Liverpool, NSW, and made an appointment. The only time the Vet could attend to Tiny was about 1100 hrs.
At 1035 hrs I arranged for Tiny to be transported to the above address, but between 1000 hrs and 1035 hrs, Tiny had died.
The incident was witnessed by me.
WO2 J.M. Kuijpers
CPL Montgomery
LS Nichols