Tracker Dog Justin

If you are fond of dogs your heart will go out to the war-weary Justin, a Labrador-Kelpie cross, used as a tracker dog by 5RAR in 1969 during its second tour of duty in the Vietnam War. Justin, here shown with a greying chin and jaded eyes, was retired from combat action after the traumatic jungle battles of Operation Camden in August 1969. However the exhausted Justin was retained by the battalion at Nui Dat as a companion dog (with Tiber) to the combat-hardened Caesar and Justin¹s replacement, Juno. Justin¹s handlers in 5RAR¹s Tracker Platoon were Privates Peter Mathie and Dennis Rowlands. Sadly, Australia¹s quarantine laws prevented these wonderfully courageous war dogs from returning home with their human mates so good homes were found for them in Saigon with expatriate English or Australian families. When 5RAR departed South Vietnam Justin was presented to the manager of the Chartered Bank in Saigon.

See the book review of "Trackers" on this website.