- Type of Memorial
- Sculptured / Cast figure
- WMR Reference Number
- 84325
- Description
- Bronze sculptures on a stone base, unveiled in November 2021. Rifleman Khan was a German Shepherd dog who rescued his master (Lance Corporal Jimmy Muldoon of Strathaven, Cameronians) from icy waters during a WW2 air raid on the Dutch island of Walcheren in November 1944. The dog was awarded the Dickin medal.
- Inscription
- Rifleman Khan/ For bravery in battle during the Second World War, Khan the/ German Shepherd dog was awarded the PDSA Medal./ the Victoria Cross for animals, on 27th March 1945./ A family pet on loan to the War Office, Khan was assigned to/ the Sixth Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), where/ Lance Corporal James Muldoon became his handler./ On the night of Nov 2nd 1944, during the Battle of the Scheldt,/ off the Dutch island of Walcheren (Oct-Nov 1944), the landing/ assault craft Khan and Muldoon were travelling in, came under heavy fire./ The boat capsized and the soldiers and Khan were thrown into the icy seawater./ Khan swam to the shore, searching for his master. But Muldoon could not swim under/ the weight of his kit and was sinking in the muddy waters./ Under heavy shelling, Khan swam 200 yards back to pull his master from the sea,/ dragging him through mud until they reached solid ground./ Khan and Muldoon collapsed, both exhausted but both had survived and got through the/ war to return home./ 'Nemo Me Impune Lacessit'/ Rifleman Khan and Lance Corporal Jimmy Muldoon/ spent their remaining years together in Strathaven./ This sculpture of Khan and Muldoon was/ commissioned by Councillor Margaret Cooper/ Designed and sculpted by John McKenna 2021
(At top-left of the plaque is a depiction of the front of the PDSA Medal, inscribed: 'For Gallantry/ WE ALSO/ SERVE'. At bottom-left of the plaque is a depiction of the reverse of the medal, inscribed: 'RFN KHAN/ WAR DOG 147/ 6TH BTN CAMERONIANS (S.R.)/ WALCHEREN/ NOVEMBER 1944/ A.F.M.C. 1019/ NO. 19').