Swansea Jack

Swansea Jack, a black retriever born in 1930, lived in the North Dock / River Tawe area of Swansea with his master, William Thomas. Jack would always respond to cries for help from the water, diving into the water and pulling whoever was in difficulty to safety at the dockside.

His first rescue in June 1931, when he saved a 12-year-old boy, went unreported. But a few weeks later, this time in front of a crowd, Jack rescued a swimmer from the docks. His photograph appeared in the local paper and the local council awarded him a silver collar. In 1936, he had the prestigious ‘Bravest Dog of the Year’award bestowed upon him by the ‘Star’newspaper.

He received a silver cup from the Lord Mayor of London and he is still the only dog to have been awarded TWO bronze medals (‘the canine V.C.’) by the National Canine Defence League now known as the Dogs Trust. Legend has it that in his lifetime he saved 27 people from the Docks / River Tawe.

Sadly, in October 1937, Swansea Jack died after eating rat poison. His burial monument, paid for by public subscription, is located on the Promenade in Swansea near St. Helen’s Rugby Ground.

In 2000, New Found Friends of Bristol who train domestic dogs in aquatic rescue techniques named Swansea Jack ‘Dog of the year’.