Minnie the Mule

THE FOUR FOOTED XXTH 1BN. LANCASHIRE FUSILIER CHINDIT.

A TRUE STORY OF A LITTLE MULE THAT DID'NT ASK TO BE BORN UNDER GUNFIRE - BUT SHE WAS.

THEY LOVED HER, A REAL LANCASHIRE LASS, A "SOWJER"

(WIGAN DIALECT FOR SOLDIER).

XXTH OMNIA AUDAX

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In March 1944 77th Brigade together with its men, animal transport and equipment, was flown in to Burma. Six days after the "block" White City (Henu) had been established, a pack pony in the brigade transport platoon unexpectedly gave birth to a foal. There was no record of the pony having been served on the veterinary history sheet, so the arrival of the foal was a complete surprise.

The foal was born during a determined Japanese attack and mortar bombs exploded all around Sergeant Lee of the XXth 1 Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers and his staff as they worked to bring "new life" into the block. Immediately the troops heard of the new member of the brigade the foal became the topic of the day. Something apart from death and destruction had arrived. During quieter periods in the fighting, men would stroll down to the transport lines to see Minnie, so named because she was born near the mortar post called Minnie. British and Gurkha troops, united in battle, were all interested in Minnie's progress.

During a heavy bombardment by the Japanese, bombs fell into the transport lines and killed several mules. One mule broke loose and, acting as only mules can, kicked Minnie above the right eye. It seemed Minnie might lose the sight of one eye, but Sergeant Lee worked ceaselessly, with improvised veterinary kit, to save her eye. Brigadier Calvert ordered periodic reports on Minnie's progress to be sent to all forward positions. As Minnie's condition improved so did the morale of the troops defending the block. When she was better she was often seen walking off to mortar positions, where she would drink tea out of a pint pot. The advent of Minnie had definitely helped morale, and stories of Minnie's pranks and antics, however trivial, brought happiness to everyone in the Brigade.

When orders were received to evacuate the "block", the problem of what to do with Minnie, who was still too young and weak to march far, came up. Brigadier Calvert, appreciating the part Minnie had played in building the troops' morale, decided to have her flown back to India. An attack to clear the airstrip was ordered and was successful. An aircraft was able to land and every man "stood to." There were tense faces as Minnie was placed in the aircraft and there was a sigh of genuine relief as the plane took off. It was sad to see Minnie go, but the troops had been told that she would be well looked after by the rear party which had been left behind in India.

On 1st. August 1944, the anniversary of the Battle of Minden, the Battalion returned to Dehra Dun in India, for rest and reorganization. Minnie was there to greet the Battalion, and although she actually belonged to the brigade, she made her home with the Lancashire Fusiliers. She soon began to control the battalion. She used to enter the sergeant's mess and eat anything she fancied, including tablecloths. Once, during the Adjutant's drill parade, Minnie decided to join Sergeant Lee on parade, and it was amusing to see Minnie prodding Sergeant Lee in the back. The adjutant eventually decided to dismiss the parade, so again Minnie's reputation soared. She was the only animal that could get the battalion off a drill parade thirty five minutes before time.

When the brigade was disbanded Minnie was allowed to remain with her Lancashire Fusiliers and the Commanding Officer promised that she would be well cared for. In October, 1947, when the battalion left India, permission was obtained for Minnie to be brought back to England and she travelled on the aft deck of the troop ship "Georgic", where she was a constant source of interest to a large and admiring audience. She soon got her sea legs; her appetite never suffered and she would frequently be seen eating anything from Spam to Condensed Milk which was offered her by the troops.

In the early 1950's Minnie and her Lancashire Fusiliers found themselves serving overseas in Egypt. It was on 8th November 1951 that Minnie died of pneumonia at the age of seven and a half. The loss was keenly felt throughout the battalion, and in particular by L/Cpl. Dwyer, who had looked after her so well for three years. At the time the 1st Bn. XXth Lancashire Fusiliers were stationed in barracks in Moascar, before getting involved in the Ismalia riots.

Minnie was buried in the camp at Moascar but, before her interment her tail and four hooves were removed. Two of her hooves were made into an inkwell and paperweight and they together with her tail and blanket are on show at the Lancashire Fusiliers Regimental Museum in Bury, Lancashire. The two remaining hooves were given to the Boroughs of both Bury and Rochdale in remembrance of Minnie. The Lancashire Fusiliers enjoy the Freedom of both these Lancashire towns.