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Sea Dog Bamse
Memorial Sea Dog Bamse Day
Jul 22
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"The presence of Bamse with the Norwegian Navy at Dundee and Montrose in World War Two has left an enduring reminder of the Norwegian contribution to the Allies, and of Scottish-Norwegian friendship."
~ Montrose Heritage Trust
Woof! One of World War II's most remarkable animal heroes, Bamse, a 196-pound Saint Bernard dog, is remembered through this 96 bar medley (strathspey followed by a reel), best danced to hornpipe melodies! Bamse became the global mascot for the Royal Norwegian Forces and a symbol of freedom and inspiration for Allied troops throughout Europe. After Norway fell to the Germans in 1940, the Norwegian minesweeper Thorodd operated from Dundee and Montrose, where Bamse became a beloved figure. He was known for shepherding the Thorodd's crew members back to the boat at pub closing time, traveling on local buses, breaking up fights, and even participating in football matches! Often seen wearing his own steel helmet while standing in the bow gun turret of the Thorodd, Bamse significantly boosted the crew's morale and saved the lives of two of them. When he died in 1944, he was mourned by both locals and Norwegians. Bamse's memory lives on in Norway, where he is still regarded as a national hero, and in Montrose, where a larger-than-life statue of him stands proudly. In the dance, the figures represent: Bamse meeting people; Bamse collecting sailors from the pub; saving the sailors; the Norweigian flag; the Scottish flag; the sailors all back on board ship; and fun-loving Bamse! Woof! 😊 🇳🇴 🐕 🏴 🥃 ⛵
Sea Dog Bamse
This dance honors a remarkable animal hero of World War II with connections to Norway and Scotland, who passed away this day, July 22, 1944, a St. Bernard known as Sea Dog Bamse.
Taken from the book description of the same name:
"This is the remarkable story of one of the Second World War's most unusual animal heroes, a 14-stone St. Bernard dog who became global mascot for the Royal Norwegian Forces and a symbol of freedom and inspiration for Allied troops throughout Europe, and captured hearts on both sides of the North Sea even sixty years after his death.
From a happy and carefree puppyhood spent as a family pet in the Norwegian fishing town of Honningsvåg, the gentle giant Bamse followed his master at the outbreak of the war to become a registered crew member of the mine-sweeper Thorodd. Often donning his own steel helmet as he took his place in the Torodd’s bow gun turret, Bamse cut an impressive figure and made a huge contribution to the morale of the crew, and he gallantly saved the lives of two of them.
After Norway fell to the Germans in 1940, the Thorodd operated from Dundee and Montrose, where Bamse became a well-known and much-loved figure, shepherding the Thorodd’s crew-members back to the boat at pub closing time, travelling on the local buses, breaking up fights and even taking part in football matches.
Mourned both by locals and Norwegians when he died in 1944, Bamse’s memory has been kept alive both in Norway, where he is still regarded as a national hero, and in Montrose, where a larger-than-life statue of him was unveiled in 2006 by Prince Andrew. "
There is even a special tartan named for Bamse.
For more about his history, click the memorial statue for a documentary video.
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
