Dutch Coast, also known as NURP.41. A.2164, was a pigeon who received the
Dickin Medal
The PDSA Dickin Medal was instituted in 1943 in the United Kingdom by Maria Dickin to honour the work 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 o ...
in 1945 from the
People's Dispensary for Sick Animals
The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) is a veterinary charity in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1917 by Maria Dickin to provide care for sick and injured animals of the poor. It is the UK's leading veterinary charity, carrying ...
for bravery in service during the Second World War.
Military service
Dutch Coast was bred and owned by Mr J Flower of
Radcliffe-on-Trent, and was a red cock of the Osman strain of racing pigeons. After being donated into military service, the bird was placed on a bomber so as to relay an
S.O.S. message if the plane was shot down.
[ It was given the military designation NURP.41.][ Long (2012): p. 112] The bird was the only one on-board and was retrieved by the crew who released it from the dinghy at 6:20am.RAF Syerston
Royal Air Force Station Syerston, commonly known as merely RAF Syerston , is a Royal Air Force station in the parish of Flintham, near Newark, Nottinghamshire. Opened in 1940, it was used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a bomber base during the ...
in Nottinghamshire.[ For this action, it was awarded the ]Dickin Medal
The PDSA Dickin Medal was instituted in 1943 in the United Kingdom by Maria Dickin to honour the work 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 o ...
in 1945,[ described as the animal's Victoria Cross.]
See also
* List of individual birds
Notes
References
*
External links
PDSA Dickin Medal
Recipients of the Dickin Medal
Individual domesticated pigeons
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