Who was Sergeant Stubby? | History for Year 6 PDF Download

What did Sergeant Stubby do?

Sergeant Stubby was a dog who served alongside soldiers in World War I, demonstrating remarkable bravery and earning numerous medals before he was two years old.

How did Stubby join the army?

In 1917, Stubby was discovered wandering during an army training session in Connecticut, USA. A soldier named Corporal Robert Conroy grew fond of him and named him Stubby due to his short tail. When Conroy was deployed to fight in France, he smuggled Stubby onto the ship, unwilling to leave him behind.

What did Stubby do during the war?

Sergeant Stubby participated in several battles, including the Battle of Marne and the Battle of Chateau-Thierry. His contributions included:

• Using his keen hearing to detect approaching enemies from a distance.
• Acting as a mercy dog, locating and comforting wounded or dying soldiers on the battlefield.
• Leveraging his superior sense of smell to detect gas before human soldiers could, alerting them to danger.
• Despite his efforts, Stubby was injured during the war, suffering from a gas attack and shrapnel wounds from a grenade explosion, which scattered metal fragments.

How did people pay tribute to Stubby?

Stubby’s courage and service inspired many, leading to widespread recognition. He participated in numerous parades across the United States, where he was celebrated and admired by the public.

What happened to Stubby?

Sergeant Stubby passed away in 1926 at approximately 10 years old. His widespread fame prompted the New York Times to publish an article honoring his life, noting his fearlessness even when soldiers around him were afraid. The article highlighted his greatest contribution as providing “comfort and cheerfulness” to soldiers during the challenging times of the war.