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BRIAN DM 48 Celebrating the inspirational acts of animal bravery and devotion to duty that lie behind every PDSA . © The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals 10/18 Registered charity nos. 208217 & SC037585 PDSA DICKIN MEDAL BRIAN DM 48

“This patrol dog was attached to a Parachute Battalion of the 13th Battalion Airborne Division. He landed in Normandy with them and, having done the requisite number of jumps, became a fully-qualified Paratrooper.” Date of Award: 29 March 1947

BRIAN’S STORY A ‘qualified paratrooper’, Brian, also known as Bing, served with the 13th Battalion Airborne Regiment.

When war broke out, he was growing fast and eating far more than the Fetch family from Loughborough’s small ration could sustain, so they answered the country’s call and Brian joined up with the Army War Dog Training School.

Following his training, Brian was posted to the 13th Lancashire Parachute Battalion. Selected to take part in a two-week parachute training course with the ‘scout and sniper unit,’ he was one of only three dogs to successfully finish the course and jumped into action seven times in total. “BRIAN HAD TO BE CUT DOWN FROM A TREE, UNDER FIRE ...” As the D-Day landings began on 7 June 1944, Brian was parachuted into the Normandy town of Ranville. The jump didn’t go according to plan and Brian had to be cut down from a tree, under fire, by fellow paratrooper, Sergeant Ken Bailey. For the next few months, the two fought side by side as the Allies pushed on towards Berlin, and despite sustaining minor injuries, Brian continued to perform his sniffer dog and sentry duties with distinction.

The final airborne assault of the war, , involved thousands of aircraft and 16,000 Allied paratroopers pushing to cross the Rhine into the German heartlands. It was Brian’s last jump. When the war was over, Brian remained on active duty in occupied Germany, but was eventually reunited with the Fetch family back in the UK.

Presented with his PDSA Dickin Medal by Chief Air Marshall Sir Frederick Bowhill on 29 March 1947, Brian’s citation read: “For excellent patrol work and qualifying as a paratrooper, Airborne Division, Normandy, June 1944.” When he eventually died in 1955, he was buried alongside fellow PDSA Dickin Medal recipients at the PDSA Animal Cemetery in Ilford, Essex.

DM THE PDSA DICKIN MEDAL The close relationship between humans and animals is rarely more profound than in times of conflict. Throughout history, animals have stood alongside humans in action and shown incredible bravery and devotion to duty when confronted with the horrors of war.

Our founder, Maria Dickin CBE introduced the PDSA Dickin Medal on 2 December 1943, at the height of World War II.

A tireless campaigner for animal welfare, Maria Dickin was determined to raise the status of animals in society and improve their care. The Medal was instituted to recognise outstanding acts of gallantry and devotion to duty displayed by animals serving with the Armed Forces or Civil Defence units in any theatre of war, throughout the world.

Regarded worldwide as the animals’ Victoria Cross, the PDSA Dickin Medal is as inspirational and relevant today as it was 75 years ago. It is a fitting tribute to the gallant animals ‘who also served’ and whose remarkable contributions helped save countless lives.

The highest honour any animal can receive, the Medal stands as testament to the Diligent, Resolute, Fearless, and Relentless qualities shown by animals in action.

PADDY - DM 7 - DM 12 - DM 18 - DM 23 NPS.42.NS.2780 - DM 29 - DM 35 NPS.43.9451 MAP serving with Civil Defence NPS.41.NS.2862 NPS.42.21610 Date of award: October 1945 NURP.39.SDS.39 Date of award: 1 September 1944 Date of award: 2 March 1945 Date of award: March 1945 Date of award: June 1945 ‘For bringing important messages three Date of award: February 1946 ‘For the best recorded time with ‘For locating air-raid casualties ‘For delivering an important ‘For bringing 38 microphotographs times from enemy-occupied country ‘For delivering an important PDSA a message from the Normandy in spite of thick smoke in a message from a Raiding Party across the North Sea in good time viz: July 1942, August 1942 and message in one day over a distance Operations, while serving with burning building.’ on the West Coast of France, although injured, while serving April 1943, while serving with the of 400 miles, while serving with the RAF in June 1944.’ although injured, while serving with the RAF in Holland Special Service from the Continent.’ the NPS in August 1943.’ with the RAF in June 1944.’ in September 1944.’ KENLEY LASS - DM 13 DICKIN - DM 8 NURP.36.JH.190 NPS.42.NS.7524 - DM 30 - DM 36 PDSA Animal Rescue Squad Date of award: March 1945 RIFLEMAN KHAN - DM 19 - DM 24 Date of award: October 1945 42.W.D.593 serving with Civil Defence ‘For being the first pigeon to War Dog no. 147. 6th Battalion Date of award: 2 July 1945 ‘For bringing important messages Date of award: May 1946 Date of award: 12 January 1945 be used with success for secret Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) ‘For assisting in the rescue of three times from enemy-occupied ‘Sent on special mission to Crete, this ‘For being the pioneer dog in locating communications from an agent in Date of award: 27 March 1945 four American airmen lost on the country, viz: July 1942, May 1943 pigeon returned to her loft (RAF MEDAL buried air-raid victims while serving enemy-occupied France while serving ‘For rescuing L/Cpl. Muldoon Cheviots in a blizzard after an and July 1943, while serving with the Alexandria) having travelled about with a PDSA Animal Rescue Squad.’ with the NPS in October 1940.’ from drowning under heavy aircrash in December 1944.’ Special Service from the Continent.’ 500 miles mostly over sea, with shellfire at the assault of Walcheren, most valuable information.One of November 1944, while serving the finest performances in the war ROLL OF JET - DM 9 - DM 14 with the 6th Cameronians (SR).’ - DM 25 - DM 31 record of the Pigeon Service.’ MAP serving with Civil Defence NURP.38.EGU.242 NU.41.HQ.4373 41.BA.2793 Date of award: 12 January 1945 Date of award: March 1945 Date of award: August 1945 Date of award: October 1945 ‘For being responsible for the rescue ‘For successfully delivering messages REX - DM 20 ‘For delivering a message from a ‘For bringing important messages three - DM 37 of persons trapped under blitzed from agents in occupied France MAP Civil Defence Rescue Dog force-landed bomber, while in a times from enemy-occupied country Date of award: May 1946 HONOUR buildings while serving with the on three occasions: twice under Date of award: April 1945 state of complete collapse and under viz: May 1943, June 1943 and ‘For magnificent courage and London Civil Defence Services.’ exceptionally adverse conditions, while ‘For outstandingly good work in exceptionally bad weather conditions, August 1943, while serving with the endurance in Japanese prison camps, - DM 1 - DM 4 serving with the NPS in 1942.’ the location of casualties in burning while serving with the RAF in 1942.’ Special Service from the Continent.’ which helped to maintain morale NEHU.40.NS.1 NPS.41.NS.4230 buildings. Undaunted by smouldering among her fellow prisoners and also IRMA - DM 10 Date of award: 2 December 1943 Date of award: 6 March 1944 debris, thick smoke, intense heat and for saving many lives through her MAP serving with Civil Defence - DM 15 - DM 26 MARY OF EXETER - DM 32 ‘For delivering a message under ‘For bringing the first news to this jets of water from fire hoses, this dog intelligence and watchfulness.’ Date of award: 12 January 1945 NPS.42.NS.44802 NURP.39.NPS.144 NURP.40.WCE.249 exceptionally difficult conditions country of the landing at Dieppe, displayed uncanny intelligence and ‘For being responsible for the rescue Date of award: March 1945 Date of award: 1947 Date of award: November 1945 and so contributing to the rescue under hazardous conditions in outstanding determination in his of persons trapped under blitzed ‘For successfully delivering messages ‘For homing from a crashed ‘For outstanding endurance on - DM 38 of an aircrew while serving with September 1942, while serving efforts to follow up any scent which buildings while serving with from agents in Holland on three aircraft over Cologne although War Service in spite of wounds.’ NURP.37.CEN.335 the RAF in February 1942.’ with the Canadian Army.’ led him to a trapped casualty.’ the London Civil Defences.’ occasions. Missing on fourth mission, seriously wounded, while serving Date of award: August 1946 while serving with the RAF in 1944.’ with the RAF in 1943.’ ‘For carrying out a special task - DM 33 - DM 2 - DM 5 WILLIAM OF ORANGE - DM 21 involving a flight of 480 miles from - DM 11 Date of award: November 1945 (also known as George) 6th Royal West Kent Regiment NPS.42.NS.15125 Northern Denmark while serving War Dog no. 471/322 - DM 16 - DM 27 ‘For locating victims trapped No.1263 MEPS.43 Date of award: 24 March 1944 Date of award: May 1945 with the Special Section, Army Special Air Service NURP.40.GVIS.453 Stray picked up by Civil Defence under blitzed buildings while Date of award: 2 December 1943 ‘For constant devotion to duty ‘For delivering a message from Pigeon Service in July 1942.’ Date of award: 22 January 1945 Date of award: March 1945 Squad at Poplar, London E14 serving with the MAP attached ‘For delivering a message under with special mention of patrol work the Arnhem Airborne Operation ‘Took part in landings during the ‘For being the first pigeon in this Date of award: July 1945 to London Civil Defence.’ exceptionally difficult conditions and at Green Hill, North Africa, while in record time for any single North African Campaign with an war to deliver a message from ‘For locating many air-raid NURP.38.BPC.6 - DM 39 so contributing to the rescue of an serving with the 6th Battalion Queen’s pigeon, while serving with the infantry unit and later served with a forced-landed aircraft on the victims during the Blitz of 1940.’ Date of award: August 1946 aircrew, while serving with the RAF Own Royal West Kent Regiment.’ APS in September 1944.’ a Special Air Unit in Italy as patrol Continent while serving with - DM 34 ‘For three outstanding flights in the Mediterranean in June 1943.’ and guard on small detachments the RAF in October 1940.’ NURP.41.DHZ.56 from France while serving with the - DM 28 Date of award: February 1946 - DM 6 lying-up in enemy territory. His RUHR EXPRESS - DM 22 Special Section, Army Pigeon Service, NPS.NS.36392 ‘For delivering a valuable message - DM 3 NPS.42.31066 presence with these parties saved NPS.43.29018 11 July 1941, 9 September 1941, - DM 17 Date of award: October 1945 from Holland to Lancashire under SURP.41.L.30.89 Date of award: many of them from discovery and Date of award: May 1945 and 29 November 1941.’ NURP.41.A.2164 ‘For bringing important messages difficult conditions, while serving Date of award: 1 September 1944 subsequent capture or destruction. Rob ‘For carrying an important Date of award: March 1945 three times from enemy-occupied with NPS in July 1942.’ 2 December 1943 ‘For delivering the first message made over 20 parachute descents.’ message from the Ruhr Pocket ‘For delivering an SOS from a ditched country, viz: May 1943 (Amiens), ‘For delivering a message under from the Normandy beaches from a in excellent time, while serving aircrew close to the enemy coast 288 February 1944 (Combined exceptionally difficult conditions ship off the beachhead while serving with the RAF in April 1945.’ miles distance in 7½ hours, under Operations) and June 1944 (French and so contributing to the rescue with the RAF on 6 June 1944.’ unfavourable conditions, while serving Maquis), while serving with the of an air crew while serving with with the RAF in April 1942.’ Special Service from the Continent.’ the RAF in October 1943.’ GI JOE - DM 40 JUDY - DM 44 UPSTART - DM 49 - DM 54 - DM 59 - DM 64 - DM 69 USA.43.SC.6390 Date of award: November 1946 Date of award: 11 April 1947 Date of award: 1949 Royal Army Veterinary Corps dog Royal Army Veterinary Royal Army Veterinary Corps Date of award: August 1946 ‘These dogs saved the lives of two ‘While on patrol duty in Bethnal ‘Served on HMS Amethyst during the Date of award: Posthumously on Corps Arms and Explosives Date of award: 17 November 2017 ‘This bird is credited with making the British officers in Israel by attacking Green a flying bomb exploded within Yangtse Incident, disposing of many 14 January 2003 Search dog. ‘For tireless bravery and devotion most outstanding flight by a US Army an armed terrorist who was stealing 75 yards, showering both horse and rats though wounded by shell blast. ‘For outstanding gallantry in April Date of award: Posthumously on to duty during an operation Pigeon in World War II. Making the up on them unawares and thus rider with broken glass and debris. Throughout the incident his behaviour 1998 while assigned to the Royal 25 October 2012 in Afghanistan with the 20-mile flight from British 10th Army warning them of their danger. Punch Upstart was completely unperturbed was of the highest order, although the Canadian Regiment in Drvar during ‘For outstanding gallantry and British Military in 2012.’ HQ, in the same number of minutes, sustained four bullet wounds and and remained quietly on duty with blast was capable of making a hole the conflict in Bosnia–Herzegovina.’ devotion to duty while deployed it brought a message which arrived Judy a long graze down her back.’ his rider controlling the traffic, until over a foot in diameter in a steel plate.’ with 104 Military Working Dog just in time to save the lives of at the incident had been dealt with.’ (MWD) Squadron during conflict CHIPS - DM 70 least one hundred Allied soldiers from - DM 60 in Afghanistan in September US Army being bombed by their own planes.’ DUKE OF NORMANDY - DM 55 Royal Army Veterinary Corps dog 2010 – March 2011.’ Date of award: 15 January 2018 - DM 45 REGAL - DM 50 Mascot of the Royal Rifles Date of award: 9 December 2003 ‘For bravery and devotion to duty NURP.41.SBC.219 Date of award: 11 April 1947 of Canada ‘For outstanding gallantry in during the US Army’s invasion DD.43.T.139 - DM 41 Date of award: 8 January 1947 ‘Was twice in burning stables Date of award: Posthumously on March 2003 while assigned - DM 65 of Sicily on 10 July 1943.’ (Australian Army Signal Corps) ‘For being the first bird to arrive caused by explosive incendiaries at 27 October 2000 to the Duke of Wellington’s Royal Army Veterinary Corps Date of award: February 1947 with a message from Paratroops of Muswell Hill. Although receiving ‘For saving the lives of Canadian Regiment in Safwan, Southern Iraq.’ Search dog ‘During a heavy tropical storm 21st Army Group behind enemy minor injuries, being covered by infantrymen during the Battle of Date of award: Posthumously on KUGA - DM 71 this bird was released from Army lines on D Day, 6 June 1944, debris and close to the flames, this Lye Mun on Hong Kong Island in 21 May 2014 Date of award: 26 October 2018 Boat 1402 which had foundered while serving with APS.’ horse showed no signs of panic.’ December 1941. Without Gander’s - DM 61 ‘For outstanding gallantry and ‘For unstinting bravery and life- on Wadou Beach in the Huon Gulf. intervention many more lives would RAF Police anti-terrorist devotion to duty while assigned saving devotion to his handler and his Homing 40 miles to Madang it have been lost in the assault.’ tracker dog – RAF no. 3610 AD to 2nd Battalion, The Parachute unit, while on patrol with Operation brought a message which enabled NURP.43.CC.1418 - DM 46 OLGA - DM 51 Date of award: Posthumously on Regiment, in Afghanistan 2008.’ Slipper in Afghanistan, 2011.’ a rescue ship to be sent in time to Date of award: 8 January 1947 Date of award: 11 April 1947 6 February 2007 salvage the craft and its valuable ‘For the fastest flight with ‘On duty when a flying bomb - DM 56 ‘For the outstanding gallantry cargo of stores and ammunition.’ message from 6th Airborne demolished four houses in Tooting New York Police dog representing and devotion to duty of the RAF - DM 66 Div. Normandy, 7 June 1944, and a plate-glass window crashed all the Search and Rescue dogs at Police anti-terrorist tracker dog French Police Dog and member HONORARY while serving with APS.’ immediately in front of her. Ground Zero and the Pentagon. team, comprising Bobbie, Jasper, of RAID (Research, Assistance, DD.43.Q.879 - DM 42 Olga, after bolting for 100 yards, Date of award: 5 March 2002 Lassie and Lucky, while attached to Intervention and Deterrence) WARRIOR (Australian Army Signal Corps) returned to the scene of the accident ‘For tireless courage and unstinting the Civil Police and several British Date of award: Posthumously on United States Marine Corps Date of award: February 1947 - DM 47 and remained on duty with her devotion to duty during the search Army regiments including the 28 December 2015 Date of award: Posthumously on ‘During an attack by Japanese on Date of award: 29 March 1947 rider controlling the traffic and and rescue operation at Ground Coldstream Guards, 2nd Battalion ‘For his courage and devotion, 27 July 2016 a US Marine patrol on Manus ‘This dog was engaged in cleaning assisting rescue organisations.’ Zero and the Pentagon following the Royal Scots Guards and the Gurkhas Paris 18 November 2015’ ‘“Warrior and General Jack Seely Island, pigeons were released to the verges of the canal bank at terrorist attacks on New York and during the Malaya Campaign.’ commanded three regiments of the warn headquarters of an impending Nederveert, Holland. He found all Washington on 11 September 2001.’ Canadian Cavalry, leading the enemy counter-attack. Two were shot the mines but during the operation - DM 52 - DM 67 charge at some of the bloodiest and down but DD.43 despite heavy fire one exploded. Ricky was wounded Date of award: 28 January 1949 - DM 62 Retired United States Marine most infamous battles of World War directed at it reached HQ with the in the head but remained calm and ‘Owned by a Czech airman, this dog ROSELLE - DM 57 Royal Army Veterinary Corps Arms Corps Search and Rescue Dog I. Warrior’s Honorary PDSA Dickin result that enemy concentrations were kept working. Had he become excited served with him in the French Air Guide dog and Explosives Search dog Date of award: 5 April 2016 Medal was awarded on behalf of all bombed and the patrol extricated.’ he would have been a danger to the Force and RAF from 1940 to 1945, Date of award: 5 March 2002 Date of award: 6 February 2007 ‘For tireless service to the military animals that served in the Great War.” rest of the section working nearby.’ both in North Africa and England. ‘For remaining loyally at the side of his ‘For outstanding gallantry and communities of the United Returning to Czechoslovakia after owner, Michael Hingson, during their devotion to duty while assigned to States of America and coalition PUNCH - DM 43 the war, he substantially helped his escape from the World Trade Center the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire partners from 2006 to 2012.’ BRIAN - DM 48 Date of award: November 1946 master’s escape across the frontier in New York on 11 September 2001.’ and Wiltshire Light Infantry during ABBREVIATIONS ‘These dogs saved the lives of two Date of award: 29 March 1947 when, after the death of Jan Masaryk, conflict in Afghanistan in 2005.’ British officers in Israel by attacking ‘This patrol dog was attached he had to flee from the Communists.’ SGT. RECKLESS - DM 68 APS an armed terrorist who was stealing to a Parachute Battalion of the SALTY - DM 58 United States Marine Corps Allied Pigeon Service up on them unawares and thus 13th Batt. Airborne Division. Guide dog - DM 63 Date of award: Posthumously on NEHU warning them of their danger. Punch He landed in Normandy with - DM 53 Date of award: 5 March 2002 Royal Army Veterinary Corps Arms 27 July 2016 North of England sustained four bullet wounds and them and, having done the Date of award: 1 July 1949 ‘For remaining loyally at the side of and Explosives Search dog ‘‘For attention to duty, devotion Homing Union Judy a long graze down her back.’ requisite number of jumps, became ‘For loyalty, courage and devotion his owner, Omar Rivera, during their Date of award: 24 February 2010 and loyalty to the United NPS a fully qualified Paratrooper.’ to duty under hazardous conditions escape from the World Trade Center ‘For outstanding gallantry and States Marine Corps.’ National Pigeon Service of war from 1941 to 1945, while in New York on 11 September 2001.’ devotion to duty while assigned to NURP serving with the 1st King’s Rifle the Royal Irish Regiment during National Union of Racing Pigeons Corps in North Africa and Italy.’ conflict in Afghanistan in 2008.’ “THE CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HUMANS AND ANIMALS IS RARELY MORE PROFOUND THAN IN TIMES OF CONFLICT.”