Tri-Service

Buster The Special Spaniel That Saved 1,000 Lives Passes Away

This spaniel is said to have saved a thousand lives, and it was with a heavy heart that Flight Sergeant Will Barrow from the RAF Police announced the death of his retired Arms and Explosive Search Dog, Buster.

Buster, a 13 year old Springer Spaniel passed away at the Barrow’s home in Lincolnshire where he had been enjoying retirement with handler Will, plus two canine companions.

Buster completed five tours of duty in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Iraq and it was his exceptional efforts in these austere environments for which he will be remembered. It was the saving of countless lives by searching out IEDs that saw the honour of official lifetime mascot of the RAF Police bestowed upon Buster.

Flight Sergeant Barrow documented his experiences with Buster into a best-selling book and as recently as this week, the inseparable pair were out promoting Buster’s service endeavours at a local school where they had been invited to hand out end of year reports to the children.

The RAF Police are arranging a special event to celebrate RAF Police Military Working Dogs which will give the Force an opportunity to remember those special companions that have saved thousands of lives and served so admirably.

Forces TV had the pleasure of meeting Buster and his handler Flight Sergeant Will Barrow in February this year. Kate Gerbeau caught up with them in the Forces TV studio, and asked what made Buster such a special dog.