Hero WWII Prisoner of War dog Peggy honoured

20 February 2020

2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders mascot receives PDSA Commendation

A heroic dog who comforted captured Scottish soldiers during World War Two has been recognised by leading veterinary charity, PDSA.

Bull Terrier Peggy was posthumously awarded the PDSA Commendation at a special ceremony at the Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen.

Peggy became the 2^nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders mascot after soldiers discovered her as an abandoned puppy in Malaya (now part of Malaysia) during the World War Two. Peggy was a loyal companion to the soldiers as they fought Japanese forces during the Battle of Singapore in February 1942. The 2^nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders was involved in fierce fighting before the British Army’s surrender, meaning the Battalion’s soldiers and Peggy were taken as Prisoners of War (PoWs).

Peggy and the Gordons, along with thousands of other PoWs, were sent to Thailand to carry out hard physical labour. Despite suffering horrific treatment and conditions at the hands of their capturers, Peggy played an integral role in boosting the moral of her fellow prisoners during their three-and-a-half years in captivity. 

The Japanese soldiers refused to feed Peggy, so her fellow comrades would often share their own rations to ensure their loyal mascot did not go hungry. Prisoners were given no meat or vegetables, so Peggy used her instincts to hunt` for rats, which the soldiers would cook and add to their meagre rations of rice.

Peggy was eventually freed along with members of the Battalion following the Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day), on the 15 August 1945. Such was the bond between Peggy and the Gordon Highlanders that the soldiers refused to travel back to Scotland unless Peggy was allowed to join them on the journey home.

Peggy made Aberdeen her home, where she lived at the Battalion’s barracks until her death in 1947.

Peggy was nominated for the PDSA award by Stewart Mitchell, who is a volunteer historian at the Gordon Highlanders Museum.

Stewart said: “Peggy was a loyal and courageous ally to her Gordon Highlander comrades. When she saw a Gordon Highlander being attacked, she would fearlessly try to intervene, often at the cost of a blow with a split bamboo cane or worse, a stab from a guard’s bayonet. She bore the scars of these encounters for her entire life.

“Throughout the whole duration of their imprisonment, with the men in a seemingly hopeless situation, just struggling to survive another day with no end in sight, Peggy’s presence boosted their morale.

“Right up until her death in 1947, the Regiment demonstrated a continued recognition and gratitude to her with her grave, at the Bridge of Don Barracks, Aberdeen, being marked by a granite memorial. This was later relocated to a prominent position in the grounds of the new Regimental HQ which is now the Regimental Museum and is a continuing symbol the shared loyalty and affection between the soldiers and Peggy.”

Peggy was presented with her PDSA Commendation by PDSA Vet Fiona Gregge. Fellow Bull Terrier, Billy, also attended the presentation to receive the award on Peggy behalf.

Fiona said: “Peggy’s remarkable story has touched all of us here at PDSA.

“The PDSA Commendation recognises the outstanding devotion that animals display and celebrates the amazing ways they enrich our lives. It is clear that the soldiers drew a great amount of strength from Peggy’s unwavering loyalty and friendship during what was a deeply traumatic time in their lives.

“The fact the Gordon Highlanders refused to board their ship home unless Peggy could sail with them speaks volumes about the bond that was formed. Peggy was a truly exceptional animal and she is a worthy recipient of this award.”

Stewart added: “I am delighted that Peggy has been recognised with the PDSA Commendation. Peggy loved the Gordon Highlanders and they loved her. I hope this award will bring attention to the important role she has played during a dark period in the Regiment’s history.”

The PDSA Commendation is part of PDSA’s Animal Awards Programme, which also includes the PDSA Dickin Medal – the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross, the PDSA Gold Medal, known as the animal’s George Cross and the PDSA Order of Merit, the animal’s OBE. To date, the PDSA Commendation has been awarded to dogs, horses, cats and a rabbit.

The PDSA Animal Awards Programme was instituted in 1943 by the charity’s founder, Maria Dickin. She believed that, if animals were recognised for their heroic actions, it would help to raise their status in society, ensuring they are better treated. For more information visit www.pdsa.org.uk/Medals.