A CUMBRIAN museum is trying to raise funds to restore the grave of an army dog.

Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life has launched an appeal to repair the grave of a 9th Battalion of the Border Regiment mascot during WW1.

They are trying to raise £500 to meet the costs

Harlequin, a foxhound, was run over by a car in Eastbourne in February 1915, only two months after he was presented to the regiment.

He was buried and a gravestone was erected in a corner of the Battalion’s temporary home, Compton Croquet Club in Eastbourne.

Over the years his grave was forgotten and his gravestone was buried under garden rubbish.

It was rediscovered when clearing the site and the stone was broken.

Jules Wooding, Manager at Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life, said: “Harlequin was presented to the Battalion on the same day as the wife of Lieutenant-Colonel Browne presented the battalion with a silver bugle.

“The bugle has been safeguarded by the Regiment and the Museum for over 100 years.

“We want to make sure his grave is equally treasured.”

The Border Regiment was raised as part of Kitchener’s New Army in Carlisle in September 1914.

The Border Regiment was based in Eastbourne by the end of the year before moving to France and then Greece.

Donations can be made online at https://cumbriasmuseumofmilitarylife.enthuse.com/harlequin#!/ or by cheque made payable to “Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life”.