There has only ever been one dog officially enlisted in the ranks of the Royal Navy; Able Seaman Just Nuisance.

Just Nuisance was a Great Dane, and he lived in Simon's Town, his owner being in charge of the United Services Institute. Most of the patrons here were naval ratings, easily distinguished from officers by their uniform, and the dog became very friendly with them.

Just Nuisance was extremely large and strong, even for a Great Dane, and had a very friendly temperament. He measured 1 metre to the top of his head, and stood almost 2 metres tall when standing upright on his back legs. Although many ratings tried to make him their particular pet, he always shared his favours impartially, thus becoming known to many. He occasionally broke up fights between ratings, knocking them apart and preventing them from fighting again.

He acquired his name on the HMS Neptune, where he was in the habit on sunbathing on a gangway and getting in everyone's way. "You *** nuisance" became such a common refrain that it became his name thereafter.

Nuisance was allowed on board ship in the Dockyards, and he got into the habit of accompanying ratings on the train from Simon's Town to Cape Town and back again. He was frequently removed from he trains for travelling without a ticket, but just caught the next train along. When the South African Railways threatened to have him put to sleep for travelling without a ticket, the Admiralty enlisted him in the Royal Navy and provided him with a complimentary railway ticket.

When it was time to fill in his enlistment papers, a few problems arose. It was decided that he would serve in the Signal, Seaman and W/T (wireless/telegraph) Branch. His surname, clearly, was Nuisance, but when it came to filling in his Christian name, there was a dilemma. The officer filling in the form decided he would have to leave it blank, and give his name as just Nuisance - and a light flashed! He became Just Nuisance… As he had been an unofficial rating for 18 months at this stage, he received promotion from the rank of ordinary seaman to able seaman. His previous occupation was listed as 'Bonecrusher', and his religion was 'Canine Divinity League (Antivivisectionist)'.

After enlistment, he was sent to a barracks outside Simon's Town, where he was assigned to be in charge of all dog-watches. He was given a billet in a hut with a number of other ratings, with sheet, blankets, pillow and mattress provided for his bunk. He took to this very happily, and woe betide any rating who got into Nuisance's bunk by mistake! He was allowed ashore every evening and on weekends, and could accompany any rating from the base. His cap was to be worn whenever he left the hut, and removed at night.

Several times in his first few weeks, Nuisance was brought before the officer of the day, having been caught in his bunk, and he was charged with being asleep during recognised duty hours. Each time, however, it was noted that he had never missed a parade, which was the only time he was required to be present, so the charges were dismissed.

After another incident when Nuisance was brought up before the Commanding Officer, a request was sent to the Admiralty in London, and as a result, he was given special dispensation not to wear his cap except on full ceremonial parade, the only such dispensation ever given.

One night returning on the train from Cape Town, Nuisance was slightly the worse for drink himself, and for once was not the first to leap off the train. When he saw a number of his fellow ratings too drunk to disembark, he began pulling them off their seats to wake them. When he could not rouse them all, he ran after some of his more sober fellows, and hauled them back to help him. From that time, he took on this task as one of his duties, to ensure that they would be back at base in time.

His exploits were numerous, amongst them his antics at garden parties to which he was invited; his attempted kidnap by a ship leaving port, from which he escaped and swam 3 miles to shore; his 'marriage', with accompanying newspaper coverage; his life saving exploits at an air base...

Nuisance is still talked about in naval circles more than fifty years after his death. His statue can be seen in Simon's Town, and there is a shop dedicated to him, where books and memorabilia can be found.