A REGIMENTAL DOG'S CAMPAIGNS.
....After going through three campaigns Drummer, the famous war dog of the Northumberland Fusiliers, has been poisoned at Colchester, where its owner, Colonel Ray, is the principal medical officer at the military hospital. Drummer was all through the Egyptian Campaign, and witnessed the Battle of Omdurman, snapping at bullets which he clearly regarded as flies. The old warrior went to South Africa with the first regiments sent out, and was present at Magersfontein, where Major Ray, Northumberland Fusiliers, son of Colonel Ray, was killed. He shared in the relief of Kimberley, where Mr. Rhodes gave him a biscuit, and was wounded in the shoulder at Wynberg. Queen Victoria signified her intention of giving him a medal when he returned from the front, but the War Office raised objections, and the gallant dog had to be content with miniature medals and clasps, the latter being for Diamond Hill, Johannesburg, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Relief of Kimberley, Belmont, and Modder River.
....Drummer was the only dog Lord Methuen allowed to accompany his column from Orange River. He also assisted at the pacification of Crete, and saw "foreign service" at Gibraltar. The "Dogs Annual" for 1900 was dedicated to him, and contained a eulogistic article on the veteran campaigner.
Evening Express, Thursday 23rd January 1902