The sheepdog that cheered Polish paratroopers

In 1943, Polish medical officer Captain Mozdziwerz found and rescued a Scottish sheepdog from the ruins of a bombed house  in London.

He brought the dog back to Stamford and Smokey became the mascot of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade, sharing its life and even taking part in training flights and jumps, wearing his own tiny parachute.

When the Polish paratroopers departed on Operation MARKET GARDEN in September 1944, Smokey was left behind in Stamford.  Stories suggest that Smokey’s instinct told him their departure was imminent.  

He did not touch his food and howled, his tail tucked between his legs, as he watched the manoeuvring aeroplanes overhead.  He died afterwards, the cause reputedly a broken heart, and he was buried in Clapton Garden with full military honours, while the military band played Chopin's Funeral March.

Over time the grave was forgotten and deteriorated.  In 1996, Lt Colonel George Wolf, then commander of Stamford Schools Combined Cadet Force (CCF) had the memorial restored, rededicated and moved to a more prominent position in the garden.

Polish authorities gave their permission and blessing, and the surviving veterans of the Polish Brigade attended with the Polish ambassador.