Rob (dog)

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Rob (1939–1952) was a British Collie who served as a war dog with the Special Air Service (SAS) during World War II. He came from a farm in Shropshire and was enlisted in 1942 by his owners, Basil and Heather Bayne. His official war dog number was 471/322, and he worked as a messenger and guard for the SAS.

In February 1945, Rob was awarded the Dickin Medal, the animals’ version of the Victoria Cross, for his service including about 20 parachute jumps in North Africa and Italy. The Baynes later faced claims that the jumps were exaggerated, but the PDSA confirmed the award from their records. Rob also received an RSPCA silver medal for valour.

After the war he returned to the Baynes on their farm in Shropshire. He died on 18 January 1952 at age 12½ and was buried there with a memorial honoring his war service as "war dog no 471/322."

A children's book about Rob, Rob the Paradog by Dorothy Nicholle, has been published. In 2022, Rob’s Dickin Medal and related items sold at auction in London for a record price of £140,000 (plus buyer’s premium).