Watchman, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, is a military mascot of the now disbanded Staffordshire Regiment. He continues his duties as part of the Staffordshire Regimental Association. The same name has been given to a succession of Staffordshire Bull Terriers – as of 2018, six.
Background
Watchman is gifted by the people of Burton-on-Trent to the Staffordshire Regimental Association, previously the Staffordshire Regiment. Previously, dogs also paraded with the West Midlands Regiment and related reserve regiments. The mascots' family line comes from Cannock, in Staffordshire. The Regiments of Staffordshire have had a Staffordshire Bull Terrier 'type' as their mascot since 1882. The Watchman name is a more recent addition to the tradition, started after the Second World War. There have been five Watchman since 1949, the current mascot is LCpl Watchman VI, who took up his duties on 5 March 2019. Watchman has been a popular mascot of the Staffordshire Regiment and has attracted much public interest. The mascot holds the Freedom of many Staffordshire towns (or boroughs) including Tamworth and Newcastle-under-Lyme boroughs. Each successive mascot carries the name Watchman. When a mascot dies or a handler retires, another Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy is chosen to replace him. When a Watchman passes away, they are buried with full military honours in St Edwards Square in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. Since the Staffordshire Regiment was disbanded and merged into the Mercian Regiment in 2007, he started carrying out his duties as mascot to the Staffordshire Regimental Association and the Staffordshire Regiment Museum. To maintain the link with the Mercian Regiment Watchman would also join the 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (STAFFORDS) at public events and parades. Watchman is classified as a regimental pet and was not recognised by the Army or the Mercian Regiment. Since he is an unofficial mascot, his upkeep is paid for by the Staffordshire Regimental Association, not by the government or Mercian Regiment. Watchman attends events featuring the Staffordshire Regimental Association, where he has been invited by the parade organisers, or where he has been granted Freedom of the town or village. However, he also attends many public events, military ceremonies and regimental funerals in his own right.
History The tradition of the Regiments of Staffordshire having a Staffordshire Bull Terrier as a mascot started in the 19th century. In 1882 The South Staffordshire Regiment received orders to march with Lord Wolseley to the relief of General Gordon, under siege in Khartoum. The Regiment boarded trains in Cairo with their Staffordshire Bull Terrier, "Boxer". However, as the train began to move the startled Boxer leaped to the tracks and was last seen by the men lying dead or unconscious. The regiment reached Assiut where they waited several days for orders for the final phase of their march, at which point Boxer staggered into the camp looking very thin and exhausted. He collapsed at the men's feet, having walked over 200 miles through the desert along the rail tracks to get back to his regiment. It was then that the regiment adopted the tradition of a Bull Terrier as a mascot. After the Second World War, the tradition began of giving the mascot the name "Watchman".
Watchman I The first Watchman was presented to the 6th Battalion the North Staffordshire Regiment in 1949. They received their new mascot for being the highest recruited infantry battalion in the Territorial Army. Watchman I was all white. Watchman began his duties and accompanied the regiment to the Royal Tournament in Olympia on 25 May 1949. Watchman I showed little interest in the event until the band and drums struck up and began playing. Upon hearing this Watchman I raised his head and began to march to wide public applause. Over the next ten years of service, Watchman I took part in every parade with the battalion. He was presented to Her Majesty The Queen during a royal visit to Burton-on-Trent on 28 March 1957. Watchman I died in 1959 and was buried in King Edward Square Burton-on-Trent, the future burial ground of Watchman II, III and IV.
Watchman II The popular public affection for Watchman I, along with the established tradition, interest and popular feeling of the people of Burton towards him resulted in Watchman II being presented to the Regiment in September 1960. Watchman II was a gift from the town of Burton upon Trent at a civic parade. Watchman II marched at the head of the battalion for the next six years. He was presented to Her Majesty The Queen on the occasion of the Presentation of New Colours to the 6th North Stafford's and 5th South Stafford's, and a Guidon to the Staffordshire Yeomanry at Molineaux in the early 1960s. Watchman II took part in the Honorary Colonels Parade held at St Martins Camp in 1966, which was to be his last parade. In 1967 the County Territorial Army Regiments were reformed. This meant Watchman II went into retirement until his death in 1974, aged fourteen years old. He was buried alongside Watchman I in St Edwards Square, with a commemorative plaque placed onsite.
Watchman III Following the death of Watchman II, the regimental family felt that the time honored tradition mascot should continue. After a search to find a dog of the correct pedigree the town of Burton upon Trent again presented the Regiment with a new mascot, Watchman III, in 1988. Watchman III went on to serve until his death 1998. He was buried alongside Watchman I and Watchman II in St Edwards Square, Burton upon Trent.
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