Rifleman Khan welcomes everyone to museum

Published: Tuesday 14 May 2024

statue of Rifleman Khan at entrance to Low Parks Museum

To launch a series of exhibitions relating to World War II, Low Parks Museum is holding a special event to mark Cameronian Day.

And to welcome guests to the museum in Hamilton, a bronze statue of Rifleman Khan, a medal winning War Dog, is on duty at the entrance on Tuesday 14 May – Cameronian Day.

Rifleman Khan saved the life of his handler (Strathaven man: Cpl Jimmy Muldoon) during the Liberation of the Dutch Islands during WW2. Another bronze of Khan and Cpl Muldoon, crowd-funded by the then Councillor, now Provost, Margaret Cooper, sits proudly at the Common Green in Strathaven.

The museum’s bronze Khan will be heading for the Liberation Museum in The Netherlands soon so now is your chance to come along and see him before he returns to the area where his brave deed was carried out 80 years ago.

But before the statue is taken to its new home by the Dutch Army, Rifleman Khan will be on duty in the museum’s reception area welcoming visitors to the forthcoming Second World War: 80th Anniversary exhibition.

Other objects on display include a display of 13 watercolours by Fred Tuck which document the actions of the 52nd Lowland Division.

For younger visitors there is a new trail “Khan’s Quest” which was created by a student volunteer, for the kids to test-drive. Kimberlie Hamilton (author of kid’s book “Rebel Dogs! Heroic Tales of Trusty Hounds”) will also be there on the day, telling Khan’s story to more than 90 local school pupils who will be at the museum to test the trail.

And if that’s not enough, a Veteran from the Bravehound: Veterans Charity will also be there with their own Bravehound. A third dog, Bear from Fostering Compassion will also be taking up residence in the museum’s private courtyard throughout the day.