Ken Lindsay – Gunner The Kelpie Hero (Mp3)

Gunner was a kelpie with an incredible ability to hear the Japanese aircraft of WW2 approach the shores of Darwin long before the radars could.

Gunner was injured during the first air raids in Darwin on February 19, 1942. Airman Percy Westcott rescued the injured dog and took him in for medical treatment. They became companions and Percy soon realised that Gunner would bark and whimper up to twenty minutes before the Japanese aircraft would arrive. He could even differentiate between enemy and ally aircraft. Percy was given permission to sound the air raid sirens as soon as Gunner would react. 

After hearing the story of Gunner, I wrote the song and sent a demo to Ian McNamara. Macca played it on his Australia All Over program on ABC radio. To my surprise Percy and his Granddaughter heard the song and contacted me. Percy was 103 years old. His Granddaughter said the song lifted his spirits. I was thrilled that Percy got to hear the song before he passed away two weeks before his 104th birthday.

I collaborated with Lindsay Waddington and together we created a song that we feel does Percy and Gunner justice. I hope you like it.