Paws in war: Medal to honour service of animals
The medal was awarded 54 times between 1943 and 1949 – to 32 pigeons, 18 dogs, 3 horses, and a ship's cat – to acknowledge actions of gallantry or devotion during the Second World War and subsequent conflicts.
The PDSA Dickin Medal was first awarded 1943 in the United Kingdom by Maria Dickin to honour the service of animals in World War II.
It is a bronze medallion, bearing the words “For Gallantry” and “We Also Serve” within a laurel wreath, carried on a ribbon of striped green, dark brown and pale blue.
It is awarded to animals that have displayed fearless devotion to duty while serving or associated with any branch of the Armed Forces or Civil Defence Units, The medal is also referred to as “the animals ” Victoria Cross.
Maria Dickin was the founder of the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), a British veterinary charity in which she established the award for any animal displaying gallantry and devotion to duty whilst serving with British Empire armed forces or civil emergency services.
The medal was awarded 54 times between 1943 and 1949 – to 32 pigeons, 18 dogs, 3 horses, and a ship’s cat – to acknowledge actions of gallantry or devotion during the Second World War and subsequent conflicts. (Reference: Photographs and research Wikipedia).
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