The bravery and valor of animals in times of conflict will take center stage at an upcoming event in Yeovil. The event will highlight the remarkable contributions of pigeons that saved air crews' lives and dogs that detected explosives, among other heroic acts recognized with the prestigious PDSA Dickin medal, often referred to as the animals' Victoria Cross.
At the May 2nd gathering of the Yeovil Archaeological and Local History Society, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the significance of the medal from guest speaker Andy Dutch, the society’s vice-chairman. The event, also the society’s annual general meeting, will commence at 7:15pm at Holy Trinity Church, Lysander Road, Yeovil, BA20 2BU. Non-members are encouraged to attend and can do so by paying a £2 entrance fee.
The PDSA’s founder, Mary Dickin, was inspired to establish the medal during World War II after witnessing the remarkable courage displayed by animals on active service and the Home Front. Over the years, the medal has been awarded 75 times, with an honorary medal being presented in 2014. Notably, the recipients have included 38 dogs, 32 pigeons, four horses, and a single cat. In a historic moment in 1942, a pigeon named Winkie became the inaugural recipient of the award after delivering a crucial message that contributed to the rescue of a stranded air crew.
READ MORE: Mary Berry’s Hot Cross Bun Recipe for a “Luxurious” Easter Treat
READ MORE: Man Arrested in Yeovil for Sexual Assault
Another remarkable recipient, a cat named Simon, secured a place in history as the sole feline to ever be honored with the Dickin medal for his unyielding efforts in dispatching rats aboard HMS Amethyst, despite sustaining shrapnel injuries during the perilous “Yangtse Incident” in 1949. The ship, assigned to protect the British Embassy in Nanjing during the Chinese civil war, faced adversity when it ran aground and came under attack, resulting in the loss of seventeen crew members, including the Captain, Lieutenant Commander Bernard Skinner.
In addition to the tribute to animals' bravery, the May meeting will encompass the society’s annual general meeting. It is worth noting that meetings are suspended from June to September as the society organizes summer visits, but they will resume in October and be held on the first Friday of each month. Non-members are cordially invited to attend the meetings for a nominal £2 entry fee.