The Dickin Medal

The Dickin Medal, instituted by Mrs Maria Dickin, founder of the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals in England, was popularly referred to as "the animals’ VC". It was awarded to any animal displaying conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty associated with, or under the control of, any branch of the Armed Forces or Civil Defence units during World War II and its aftermath.

At least two Australian carrier pigeons attached to the Australian Army have received the Dickin Medal:

These Medals and Certificates are at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra

Blue Bar Cock No. 139:D/D:43:T

Detachment 10 Pigeon Section (Type B) attached to Detachment 55 Port Craft Company, Madang 12 July 1945. Awarded the Dickin Medal for gallantry carrying a message through a severe tropical storm thereby bringing help to an army boat with a vital cargo, in danger of foundering.

This pigeon was donated to the army in 1943, as a patriotic gesture by a civilian pigeon fancier, Mr George Adams of 11 Vigo Street, Footscray, Victoria, for use in signals units in New Guinea. Mr Adams, however, was not the bird's breeder. As part of his effort to obtain birds for the war effort Adams approached members of pigeon clubs in the Melbourne area, seeking the donation of birds. After he had approached the Yarraville Pigeon Club, one of its members, Mr Gordon Whittle, whose family had bred and raced pigeons for many years, donated a number of birds. One of the pigeons he bred was awarded the Dickin Medal for gallantry as a result of a flight he undertook through a severe tropical storm near Madang, New Guinea, on 12 July 1945. At the time the pigeon was located at 10 Pigeon Section (Type B) attached to Detachment 55 Port Craft Company, Madang. On that day he carried the following message, from a foundering boat to Madang, flying 40 miles in 50 minutes: 'To: Detachment 55 Australian Port Craft Company, MADANG. From: A.B. 1402. Date: 12.7.45. Engine Failed. Wash on to beach at WADAU owing very heavy seas. Send help immediately. Am rapidly filling with sand. TOO: 0800 - Senders signature - HOLLAND Cpl. TO Liberation 0805 - No. of copies 2. TOR at Loft - 0855'. As a result of the successful delivery of the message the boat together with valuable stores, ammunition  and equipment was salvaged. The bird had previously completed 23 operational  flight over a total distance of 1,004 miles.

 Dickin Medal awarded by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals in Britain for animals displaying outstanding gallantry or service in wartime.

Certificate Number 41 accompanying the Dickin Medal awarded to Australian pigeon DD 43 T139. The card is printed in black, with the details of the recipient bird hand written in black ink. There is an image of the Dickin Medal in the top left corner. The certificate reads 'THE PEOPLE'S DISPENSARY FOR SICK ANIMALS OF THE POOR/ ALLIED FORCES MASCOT CLUB/ THIS IS TO CERTIFY that Pigeon No. DD43 T139 has been awarded the DICKIN MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY Carrying a message through a severe tropical storm thereby bringing help to an Army boat with vital cargo, in danger of foundering. While serving with Australian Corps of Signals in S.W. Pacific in June, 1943. Date[d] February 26th 1947.' The back of the certificate has typed details of the breeder and donor of the bird to the Army, 'G.Adams Esq. 11 Vigo St. FOOTSCRAY W11 Victoria'

Blue Chequer Cock No. 879:D/D: 43: Q

Loft No. 5 of 1 Australian Pigeon Section, attached to the US forces, Manus Island, Admiralty Islands 5th April 1944. Awarded the Dickin Medal for gallantry carrying a message through heavy fire thereby bringing relief to a Patrol surrounded and attacked by the enemy without other means of communication.

Dickin Medal with blue, brown and green ribbon, issued by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. Obverse is embossed 'PDSA For GALLANTRY We also Serve.'

Reverse is engraved 'D D43 Q879 Australian Corps of Signals S.W. Pacific February 1944 A.F.M.C. 1182 No 42'. Note error in month of award. Pigeon Q879 carried his the message that earned him the medal on 5 April 1944. 

Donor/breeder of the bird, A J Flavell Esq, 15 Vauntier Street, Elwood S3 Victoria.

Certificate for Dickin Medal awarded to Blue Chequer Cock pigeon Q879. Front reads 'Awarded to Pigeon No D D43 Q879 for Gallantry carrying a message through heavy fire thereby bringing relief to a Patrol surrounded and attacked by the enemy without other means of communication.' Back gives donor/breeder of bird 'A.J. Flavell Esq 15 Vauntier Street, Elwood S3 Victoria'

Information supplied  courtesy of Australian War Memorial www.awm.gov.au