The group behind a campaign to raise £50,000 for a statue to commemorate the heroic actions of Airedale terriers during the First World War is celebrating the project’s next funding milestone.
The Airedale Terrier Club of Scotland rescue charity wants to erect a large monument at East Haven beach to acknowledge the bravery of the breed, which was used to identify the injured and deliver messages during the war.
The club has now raised more than £25,000 and can apply to the Angus LEADER fund.
The charity’s secretary, Wendy Turner, from Inverkeilor, hopes for a decision by March.
She said: “I am still receiving money coming in from all over the world – the support has been tremendous.
“It’s going to be a real attraction for the area. I hope to have it in place by Remembrance Day next year.
“It will be back in next week and I’ve been told I can expect a decision in March.”
The story of the breed being used during the war started in Angus, as the first dogs were trained by Lt Col Edwin Hautenville Richardson, who lived at Panbride House, near Carnoustie.
The dogs were trained to wear gas masks and navigate the treacherous and often terrifying conditions of the front lines.
Acclaimed Kirriemuir sculptor Bruce Walker will create the work out of a piece of granite that has been set aside from a Peterhead quarry.
“It will be approximately 1.5 metres high by two metres high,” Wendy said.
“What Bruce proposes to do is have an Airedale carved into it with a pigeon basket on its back – that was one of their jobs, to carry pigeons.
“Another part of the base would be an Airedale in the trenches and the very top will be an Airedale near to life size.”
The project has also been supported by Angus Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Money has been received from America, Australia, Canada and Finland. One anonymous donation was for £5,500. An auction of Airedale-themed items raised a further £2,000.
