ANIMALS

HISTORY’S GREATEST CONUNDRUMS AND MYSTERIES SOLVED

How many animals have been awarded medals? Quite a few. In 1943, Maria Dickin, founder of the veterinary charity People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) introduced a medal to honour animals that displayed exceptional bravery in World War II. The Dickin Medal, a bronze disc bearing the words “For Gallantry” and “We Also Serve”, has been awarded 76 times, mostly in the 1940s. Recipients of what has been dubbed the “animals’ Victoria Cross” include 38 dogs, 32 messenger pigeons, four horses and a cat. The first medals were awarded to pigeons White Vision and Tyke and Winkie, which delivered messages “under exceptionally difficult conditions”. Released from a bomber that crashed into the North Sea, Winkie flew 120 miles back to Britain, carrying an urgent request for aid. More than a…

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History Revealed (Digital) - 1 Issue, January 2024

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