Lot 3666

Description

Australian war dog, timber framed b&w print of a painting of 'Bushie', the celebrated Boer War dog, (190x135mm and with border in frame 315x255mm). Good very fine.

Bushie was Australia's first war dog. Hailing from Wentworth Falls in the NSW Blue Mountains area he was gang-pressed into service as a mascot with the New South Wales Bushmen's Contingent of February 1900. He was named by the Lieutenant Governor and had his portrait painted by renowned artist, Wollaston J.Thomas. Bushie was a reluctant transcript to South Africa, however, word of him reached Queen Victoria who let it be known she would be keen to accept him. Thus, at war's end, Bushie was taken to England to live out his life in the Royal household.