31 October 2011

Thimble 98 - The Dickin Medal

...



Awarded for Conspicuous gallantry
or devotion to duty
while serving in military conflict.

The PDSA Dickin Medal is recognised as the animals’ Victoria Cross.

It is awarded to animals displaying conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty while serving or associated with any branch of the Armed Forces or Civil Defence Units. The Dickin Medal was instituted in 1943 by Maria Dickin, founder of the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), a British veterinary charity.

The medal was awarded 54 times during the Second World War, to:

32 pigeons
18 dogs
3 horses
and 1 cat



Rip
awarded the Dickin Medal in 1945
for locating air raid victims of The Blitz

Some of the more recent recipients:
2000 - Gander, a Newfoundland who saved infantrymen during the Battle of Lye Mun.
Sept 11 - two Guide dogs, Salty and Roselle, who led their blind humans to safety and Search-and -Rescue dog, Apollo.


Image from The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)
of the U.S. State Department and the Museum of the City of New York
of the World Trade Center attacks. Photographer: Joel Meyerowitz.

You can find a full list of all medal recipients here on the PDSA website.

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Can one everyday person really make a difference and change the world? Isn't that a bit like trying to empty the ocean with a thimble?

Maybe... but what if you got everyone to help you?
What if we bailed with a billion thimbles?

These are my Thimblefuls for Peace... I hope they make you think.