War dog receives award

Bacchus was originally rewarded for his bravery in 1943

A war veteran has received a medal 60 years after his dog was recognised for its bravery during World War II.

Gaston Sanz, 82, was a crew member of the submarine Rubis which was brought to Britain after the fall of France and then sailed 26 missions for the allies.

The submarine's mascot was Bacchus, a mongrel dog, who became part of the crew and was rewarded for his bravery in 1943 with a valiant dog medal from the National Canine Defence League (NCDL).

But when Bacchus died after the war he was buried in France with his medal and Mr Sanz, who had been his adopted master, was left without a memento.

On Monday, 60 years after the original award, the NCDL presented Mr Sanz with a replacement medal at the Imperial War Museum in central London to recognise Bacchus's bravery.

Mr Sanz says he is very proud of Bacchus

"He [Bacchus] did all the war with us and everybody loved him - the French boys and the British boys," said Mr Sanz.

"They would be so proud, he gave us courage. People have got to know what a dog can do."

The 82-year-old, who now lives in Kensington, west London, received the Legion d'Honneur, the highest bravery honour for a Frenchman in June, but he said this was even better.