Buster (spaniel) facts for kids

Buster (2002 – 2015) was a brave English Springer Spaniel who worked as a military detection dog. He was very important during the Iraq War. Buster became famous for finding a hidden stash of weapons. This discovery helped keep soldiers safe from dangerous groups in the Iraqi town of Safwan. For his amazing actions, Buster was given the Dickin Medal, which is like the Victoria Cross but for animals.

Buster's Military Adventures

Buster started working with his handler, Sergeant Danny Morgan, in 2002. They were a great team! They even worked together at big events like the Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II celebrations and the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

Buster was so important that he had his own special protective gear. This gear would keep him safe if there was a chemical or biological attack. He was trained to go into a sealed pen if he heard a warning sound. This pen had a motor that pumped clean air through a special filter, like a gas mask.

Life Off Duty

When Buster wasn't working, he lived at home with his handler, Danny Morgan, and Danny's wife and daughter, Emma. Danny shared a sweet story about Buster and Emma. He said, "She was upset when I went off to war but wept buckets when she was saying goodbye to Buster. She's been sending him more treats than me since we arrived." This shows how much Emma loved Buster!

The Dickin Medal: An Animal's Victoria Cross

In early 2003, Buster and Sergeant Morgan were helping the Duke of Wellington's Regiment in Safwan, Iraq. British soldiers were facing unexpected rocket attacks. After three tries to search a building believed to be a hideout for an extremist group, Buster was called in.

Buster, with his incredible sense of smell, found a secret stash of weapons! They were hidden in a wall, covered by a tin sheet, and then a wardrobe was pushed in front of it. Inside, there were dangerous items like an AK-47 rifle, grenades, and tools for making bombs.

For this amazing discovery, Buster was awarded the Dickin Medal. This special medal is often called the "animals' Victoria Cross" because it's the highest award for bravery given to animals. Buster was the 60th animal to receive this medal since it was first given out in 1943.

At the time, Buster was the only dog searching for weapons and explosives in Iraq. He received his medal at the famous Crufts dog show in Birmingham, England, in March 2005. His medal citation said that in March 2003, Buster found a hidden collection of weapons and explosives. It also stated that he "is considered responsible for saving the lives of service personnel and civilians." After Buster's find, the attacks stopped, and soldiers could even wear their berets instead of helmets.

After Iraq and Retirement

By 2007, Buster was working with the RAF (Royal Air Force) at Rosyth. He was even chosen to serve in Afghanistan.

Later, Buster retired from active duty. However, he remained the mascot for the RAF Police. His handler, Flight Sergeant Barrow, even wrote a book about him called Buster: The Dog Who Saved A Thousand Lives.

In 2015, the Royal Air Force announced that Buster had passed away. He was a true hero.