Illustrated Berwick Journal - Thursday 04 September 1919 (page 2) reported:
'Sammy, the mascot of 4th N.F. (Hexham), and perhaps the smallest active service mascot of British Army, has been stuffed and brought back to his native place, Hexham. His glorious history has aroused great interest all over Northumberland. In an interview, Drum-Major Jos. Forster, who was greatly attached to the little wiry terrier, told some very interesting stories about his 4-footed pal. Before . “‘joining up” he was mascot, of Tynedale Rugby Football Club, and on cup-tie days he was gaily decked with the colours of his Club. Nov. 1914, found him in the Army with the famous 4th N.F. (so well known to 7th N.F. and Berwick-upon-Tweed, at Hexham. He went with them to Blyth, where he made a reputation as a “carrier" of messages. The men were determined he should go to France with them, even if he had to be smuggled over in a kit bag; and he went there with the Regiment in April, 1915. He took part in the 2nd Battle of Ypres, and actually led the Northumberland Brigade in their attack on village of St. Julien on April 26, 1915, He was wounded in the foot on one occasion; gassed at another time, when Col. B. D. Gibson, D.S.O., the gallant and lamented son of Col. Wilfrid Gibson, V.D., Hexham, saved his life by putting him on the trench top to get more air; and blown up by a “Jack Johnson' on another day. He was continuously with the Battalion up to Feb., 1917, when he was accidentally killed by a bullet, when the Battalion was at practice at Warfusee in Somme country. The men were advancing in open order to a target, through a wood, and Sammy, as was his wont, was running with them. Twice the order to cease fire was given when their mascot could not be seen; but he popped his head up at an unfortunate moment - and that day was a black one for the whole Brigade. The news spread as if by wireless, and there was not a man among the lot but felt a personal loss when Sammy went down. None more so than their gallant leader, already mentioned, who himself was killed in the last German offensive. When on the march Sammy was usually found toddling along in front, between Colonel and Adjutant, occasionally glancing up into their faces. Often he would step out, and walk or run back the whole length of the column.
When he reached the last man, he, would return, and take his place once more in front, glancing up as if he wanted to assure them by saying "All's well."
He treated German bullets, as they whizzed past him, in much the same way as he dealt with flies - he simply snapped at them. Belgians and French he never liked; and he fought dogs of all sizes who ventured too near his camp. A collie once picked him up, and nearly shook the life out of him, but Sammy was just as jealous as before.
A grand ratter - he was bitten through the nose three times by rats. He often had to be taken out of the trenches owing to his scratching zeal in hunting his prey, and because of his fondness for walkingalong the top, or jumping over the sandbags into "No Man's Land". “Come and have a wash Sammy" would send him off far enough to escape his bath: but when “Fall In" was sounded he was on parade quicker than the men, waiting for them to line up.
At Armentieres, he was lost when his Regiment moved up the line, and 2 of his pals sought for him in their spare time , in vain for 2 days. On the night of the 3rd day they met him hurrying as hard as his little legs would allow him in the direction of their new billets. A big of khaki and piece of rope around his neck instead of his collar explained the reason of his absence - and what a re-union there was! He often lost his collar, and when he appeared minus it, the word went round: "Sammy has given his collar again as a souvenir.” He was soon supplied with a new one.
Often he was carried into action, and at Dickebusch he was nearly drowned in the mud which was thigh deep. There was always plenty of chocolate for Sammy, and he loved it. On one occasion, when he was appropriated by a "Tommy" from another Battalion he had a champion ready at hand to fight for him. Many a field card and Christmas card found its way to Blighty signed "Sammy".
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001439/19190904/007/0002 