A mascot for the Lonsdales in 1915

One of the battalions raised by Lord Kitchener in WW1 was 11th Battalion The Border Regiment. It was raised with the support of Lord Lonsdale and became known as 'The Lonsdales'. It wore a cap badge based on the Lonsdale's dragon and not the Border Regiment's star and cross.

This letter offering a mascot is very much of its time, when hare courisng was an accepted part of rural society.

The offer

A letter from Alfred Hall, Head Teacher of Seaton School, 26 March 1915.

“Seeing that the battalion is one raised in Sporting Counties with one of our greatest sportsmen at its head, and also that Coursing appeals to the majority of men of Cumberland & Westmorland, I shall be pleased to make the Battalion the present of the pure bred Greyhound dog Hayes Gaffer.”

Coat

And there was a further offer, this letter was from R. Sewell, saddler and harness maker of Carlisle, 1 May 1915.

“Before the Battalion leaves Camp I should like to have the pleasure of presenting your Mascot [with a coat] for when he leads the Regiment. As to colour and as a suggestion I would either say Lord Lonsdale’s [racing] colours, blue, trimmed with yellow with a monogram L.B. in the hind corners.”

Thank you

“Dear Sir, The ‘Lonsdale Mascot’ has arrived safely, and is greatly admired. He will march at the head of the Battalion when we leave on Wednesday, and I hope that he will lead the Battalion back when our work is done.Thank you for the Pedigree which shall be carefully preserved, and for your great kindness in presenting this beautiful dog.

Yours very truly

PW Matchell”

The Editor