| Surname: | Learmouth |
| Initials: | J A |
| Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Army Number: | 3188904 |
| Notes: | CMP. Formerly Kings Own Scottish Borderers, 8/5/41 Transferred to CMP. 4/2/46 Discharged. John Alexander Learmouth. Extract from the Southern Reporter, 5/4/45. Dogs of War (by a military observer). Holding a responsible position with the Corps of Military Police Dog Section, Palestine, Cpl John Learmouth whose home i at 9 English Street, Dumfires and whose parents live at Whitriggs, Hawick. Cpl Learmouth who is a trained dog handler, works with one of the CMP Dog Detachments at a large base installation . His duties also include administrative work in the office. When I saw him Cpl Learmouth had just left the kennels, where he had exercised his dog. Each handler is entrusted with one particular animal, usually an Alsatian/Boxer breed and a strong bond of affection springs between man and dog. Cpl Learmouth told me that, since the employment of the dogs, thieving by natives at the station had been reduced to a minimum. "They act as a strong deterrent" he said " and as soon as the news spreads that there a dogs about, the professional thieves will rather leave a district than risk a mauling. I watched some of the dogs exercised while we talked. One of the CMP NCO's donned a heavy leather suit, which immediately excited the dogs to a frenzied pitch. One by one they were released to tackle the man, which they did with great zest. Once they had their man down there were no half-measures, and only the strong leather armour saved the "victim" from a very unpleasant mauling. Enlisting in the KOSB TA in 1937, Cpl Learmouth was transferred to the Corps of Military Police in May, 1941, and came to the Middle East in June, 1942. After some service in Egypt, he was posted to Malta, where he and his dog were on duty near lord Gort's residence., protecting War Department property. In his off-duty hours Rugby Teams in the local Garrison League and take an interest in the Army's official Current Affairs discussions. (The article has a photograph of Cpl Learmouth with his dog). |