Afour legged participant will be missing from Millicent’s Anzac Day march in 2024.
A beloved blue heeler, ex-Army mascot dog had retired to Millicent in 2019 and subsequently took part in the annual parade along George Street.
After nine years of service, Sergeant Ridgeleigh Blue III came to live on a Millicent farm with new owner Priscilla Treloar.
The Blue Heeler had made quite a sight in his uniform among the other ex-service personnel.
His health failed last year and he passed away just before Christmas.
The news of his death would have disappointed the 600 soldiers from the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment.
Sgt Blue served with them at their Gallipoli Barracks at Enoggera in Queensland.
Major Bob Varcoe, the Battalion’s second in command, said it was sad to see Sgt Blue retire in 2019.
“But it would be unfair to keep him, he’s getting on,” Major Varcoe said.
He left big paw prints to fill, with two-month-old puppy Private Ridgeleigh Blue IV enlisted into the mascot position.