Pat

Pat belonged to Captain Frome an officer in the 72nd Highlanders. In December 1879 during the Afghan War, the 72nd was ordered to clear a group of tribesman occupying a ridge on the Asmai Heights not far from Kabul.

As Captain Spens led the Highlanders and a company of Silk infantry forward, Lance-Corporal George Sellar and Pat were first to reach the enemy. Spotting the lance-corporal fighting with one of the Afghans, Pat ran forward and sunk his teeth into the tribesman’s leg.

General Roberts had witnessed the hand-to-hand fight through his field glasses and Lance-Corporal Sellar was awarded the Victoria Cross for the part he played in the action. Both Pat and the lance-corporal were wounded during the skirmish.

When Captain Frome was killed during the Battle of Kandahar the following year, Pat was adopted by 2nd Lieutenant Egerton.

In 1881 the 72nd amalgamated with the 78th to form the Seaforth Highlanders. After being stationed in Aden the first battalion was ordered to Egypt where Pat took part in the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir.

When the Seaforths returned to Scotland in 1886, the Highlanders were stationed at Edinburgh Castle. Pat died two years later, and was buried in the fortress’s Dog Cemetery. The Irish terrier’s obituary was published in ‘The Scotsman’. Sergeant Sellar V.C. is buried in Lairg Cemetery, Sutherland. His V.C can be seen in the Highlanders Regimental Museum, Fort George, Inverness.

Pat’s photograph is reproduced by permission of the Trustees.