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Battalion
Mascot
MA444 Cpl Ridgeliegh Blue II
Blue Dog was promoted to the rank of
CPL by the Commanding Officer, LTCOL Jason Blain on the
43rd Birthday of the Battallion - 6 Jun 08.
History
of Blue Dog
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History
of the 6th Battalion Mascot
In
1975 the CO of the Battalion ordered the Bn 2IC to obtain
a 'Blue Heeler' as the unofficial Battalion Mascot.
The 2IC purchased MA001 Pte Ridgeliegh (Blue) for a total
of $30. On 28th Oct '76 'Blue' was accidentally run
over and the Battalion was left without their mascot.
In 1978 the next 'Blue' was given to 6 RAR by 8/9 RAR during
an exercise in Shoalwater Bay as somewhat of a joke given
the Battalion did not have a mascot. A wretched old
dog was obtained from the local pound by the 8/9 RAR Padre
at a cost of $1.50 and promptly named "Wart" by
the troops. The dog was left as a surprise gift in the
dug-in command post during a relief in place activity.
The CO at the time, LTCOL Mick Harris,MC, kept the animal
and on return to barracks, ordered the dog cleaned, wormed
and marched in as the Battalion's mascot. In 1981 a
new dog was brought into service with the Battalion, "PTE
Saltwood Sharaz Jasmine" (alias Blue). There have
been six Australian Cattle dogs in the role of 'Battalion
Friend' with the current being a healthy male who has been
with the Battalion since November 1998. On 31 July 2006,
'Blue Dog' was given his official mascot status by Army Headquarters
and officially registered as MA444 Private Ridgeliegh Blue
II. He was promoted to Lance Corporal by LtCol Scott Goddard on 6 June 2007 and then to Corporal by LtCol Jason Blain on 6 June 2008 |
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