PDSA Dickin Medal
The PDSA Dickin Medal is the highest award any animal can receive whilst serving in military conflict. It is recognised worldwide as the animals’ Victoria Cross. Instituted in 1943 by PDSA’s founder Maria Dickin CBE, it acknowledges outstanding acts of bravery or devotion to duty displayed by animals serving with the Armed Forces or Civil Defence units in any theatre of war throughout the world.
The PDSA Dickin Medal is a large, bronze medallion bearing the words “For Gallantry” and “We Also Serve” all within a laurel wreath. The ribbon is striped green, dark brown and sky blue representing water, earth and air to symbolise the naval, land and air forces.
During the Second World War (1939-45), PDSA's founder Maria Dickin CBE was aware of the incredible bravery displayed by animals on active service and the Home Front. Inspired by the animals’ devotion to man and duty, she introduced a special medal specifically for animals in war.
The Medal has been awarded 75 times since 1943 plus 1 Honorary PDSA Dickin Medal which was awarded in 2014. The recipients comprise 38 dogs, 32 pigeons, 4 horses and 1 cat.
What is the Honorary PDSA Dickin Medal?
The Honorary PDSA Dickin Medal was awarded to War Horse Warrior to honour all the animals that served in the First World War. Their contribution to the Great War predates the institution of the PDSA Dickin Medal and the Honorary PDSA Dickin Medal is a unique award designed to recognise the role that ALL animals played during this time.
What is DM 80?
80 years ago our founder, Marie Dickin CBE, introduced the PDSA Dickin Medal on 2 December 1943, at the height of World War II.
DM 80 is a celebration of all the brave and devoted actions performed by animals in times of great adversity.
Roll of Honour
- Dogs
- Pigeons
- Horses
- Cats
- Honorary PDSA Dickin Medal
- How can I nominate an animal for the PDSA Dickin Medal?
Dogs
Bass – Belgian Malinois
US Marine Special Operation Command (MARSOC): 24 January 2023
'For his life-saving actions during a deployment in Afghanistan in 2019'
Hertz - German Shorthaired Pointer
Royal Air Force Police: 22 February 2022
‘For his life-saving devotion to duty, protecting British and Allied troops while serving in Afghanistan, in 2013’
Leuk - Belgian Malinois
French Navy Commando Kieffer Unit: 23 April 2021
'For showing outstanding bravery and devotion to his handler and unit during operation in May 2019'
Kuno - Belgian Shepherd Malinois
Royal Army Veterinary Corps: 24 November 2020
‘For tireless bravery and devotion to duty during an operation in Afghanistan with the British Military in 2019.’
Kuga – Belgian Malinois
Special Air Service Regiment – Australian Army: 26 October 2018
'For unstinting bravery and life-saving devotion to his handler and his unit, while on patrol with Operation Slipper in Afghanistan, 2011.'
Chips – Husky crossbreed
US Army: 15 January 2018
‘For bravery and devotion to duty during the US Army’s invasion of Sicily on 10 July 1943.’
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Mali – Belgian Malinois
Royal Army Veterinary Corps: 17 November 2017
‘For tireless bravery and devotion to duty during an operation in Afghanistan with the British Military in 2012.’
Lucca - German Shepherd
US Marine Corps: 5 April 2016
“For tireless service to the military communities of the United States of America and coalition partners from 2006 to 2012”
Diesel – Belgian Malinois
Date of Award: awarded posthumously on 28 December 2015
Sasha – Labrador
Royal Army Veterinary Corps, Arms and Explosives Search dog
Date of Award: awarded posthumously on 21 May 2014
“For outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty while assigned to 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, in Afghanistan 2008.”
Theo – Springer Spaniel
Royal Army Veterinary Corps, Arms and Explosives Search dog
Date of Award: awarded posthumously on 25 October 2012
“For outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty while deployed with 104 Military Working Dog (MWD) Squadron during conflict in Afghanistan September 2010 to March 2011.”
Treo – Labrador
Royal Army Veterinary Corps, Arms and Explosives Search dog
Date of Award: 24 February 2010
“On 15 August 2008, while acting as forward protection for 8 Platoon, The Royal Irish Regiment, Treo located a ‘daisy chain’ IED – an improvised explosive device designed to trigger a series of bombs – on a roadside where soldiers were about to pass. It was subsequently confirmed that the device uncovered was new to the area and would have inflicted significant casualties. On 3 and 4 September 2008 Treo’s actions were reported as saving 7 Platoon from guaranteed casualties, again as the result of an IED. Without doubt, Treo’s actions and devotion to his duties, while in the throes of conflict, saved many lives.”
Sadie – Labrador
RAVC arms and explosive search dog – Kabul, Afghanistan in November 2005
Date of Award: 6 February 2007
“For outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty while assigned to the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry during conflict in Afghanistan in 2005. On 14 November 2005 military personnel serving with NATO’s International Security Assistance Force in Kabul were involved in two separate attacks. Sadie and Lance Corporal Yardley were deployed to search for secondary explosive devices. Sadie gave a positive indication near a concrete blast wall and multinational personnel were moved to a safe distance. Despite the obvious danger Sadie and Lance Corporal Yardley completed their search. At the site of Sadie’s indication, bomb disposal operators later made safe an explosive device. The bomb was designed to inflict maximum injury. Sadie’s actions undoubtedly saved the lives of many civilians and soldiers.”
Lucky – German Shepherd
RAF number 3610 AD: RAF Police anti-terrorist tracker dog – from 1949 to 1952 during the Malaya Campaign
Date of Award: 6 February 2007
“For the outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty of the RAF Police anti-terrorist tracker dog team, comprising Bobbie, Jasper, Lassie and Lucky, while attached to the Civil Police and several British Army regiments including the Coldstream Guards, 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Guards and the Ghurkhas during the Malaya Campaign.Bobbie, Jasper, Lassie and Lucky displayed exceptional determination and life-saving skills during the Malaya Campaign. The dogs and their handlers were an exceptional team, capable of tracking and locating the enemy by scent despite unrelenting heat and an almost impregnable jungle. Sadly, three of the dogs lost their lives in the line of duty: only Lucky survived to the end of the conflict.”
Buster – Springer Spaniel
Royal Army Veterinary Corps
Date of Award: 9 December 2003
“For outstanding gallantry in March 2003 while assigned to the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in Safwan, Southern Iraq. Arms and explosives search dog Buster located an arsenal of weapons and explosives hidden behind a false wall in a property linked with an extremist group. Buster is considered responsible for saving the lives of service personnel and civilians. Following the find, all attacks ceased and shortly afterwards and troops replaced their steel helmets with berets.”
Sam – German Shepherd
Royal Army Veterinary Corps
Date of Award: 14 January 2003
“For outstanding gallantry in April 1998 while assigned to the Royal Canadian Regiment in Drvar during the conflict in Bosnia-Hertzegovina. On two documented occasions Sam displayed great courage and devotion to duty. On 18 April Sam successfully brought down an armed man threatening the lives of civilians and Service personnel. On 24 April, while guarding a compound harbouring Serbian refugees, Sam’s determined approach held off rioters until reinforcements arrived. This dog’s true valour saved the lives of many servicemen and civilians during this time of human conflict.”
Salty and Roselle – Labrador Guide dogs
Date of Award: 5 March 2002
“For remaining loyally at the side of their blind owners, courageously leading them down more than 70 floors of the World Trade Center and to a place of safety following the terrorist attack on New York on 11 September 2001.”
Appollo – German Shepherd
Date of Award: 5 March 2002
NYPD dog Appollo received the PDSA Dickin Medal on behalf of all the Search and Rescue dogs at Ground Zero and the Pentagon following the terrorist attack on 11 September 2001.
“For tireless courage in the service of humanity during the search and rescue operations in New York and Washington on and after 11 September 2001.” Faithful to words of command and undaunted by the task, the dogs’ work and unstinting devotion to duty stand as a testament to those lost or injured.”
Gander – Newfoundland
Date of Award: awarded posthumously on 27 October 2000
“For saving the lives of Canadian infantrymen during the Battle of Lye Mun on Hong Kong Island in December 1941. On three documented occasions Gander, the Newfoundland mascot of the Royal Rifles of Canada engaged the enemy as his regiment joined the Winnipeg Grenadiers, members of Battalion Headquarters ‘C’ Force and other Commonwealth troops in their courageous defence of the Island. Twice Gander’s attacks halted the enemy’s advance and protected groups of wounded soldiers. In a final act of bravery the war dog was killed in action gathering a grenade. Without Gander’s intervention many more lives would have been lost in the assault.”
Tich – Egyptian Mongrel
1st Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps
Date of Award: 1 July 1949
“For loyalty, courage and devotion to duty under hazardous conditions of war 1941 to 1945, while serving with the 1st King’s Rifle Corps in North Africa and Italy.”
Antis – Alsatian
Date of Award: 28 January 1949
“Owned by a Czech airman, this dog served with him in the French Air Force and RAF from 1940 to 1945, both in N. Africa and England. Returning to Czechoslovakia after the war, he substantially helped his master’s escape across the frontier when after the death of Jan Masaryk, he had to fly from the Communists.”
Brian – Alsatian
Date of Award: 29 March 1947
“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.”
Ricky – Welsh Collie
Date of Award: 29 March 1947
“This dog was engaged in cleaning the verges of the canal bank at Nederweent, Holland. He found all the mines but during the operation one of them exploded. Ricky was wounded in the head but remained calm and kept at work. Had he become excited he would have been a danger to the rest of the section working nearby.”
Punch and Judy – Boxer dog and bitch
Date of Awards: November 1946
“These dogs saved the lives of two British Officers in Israel by attacking an armed terrorist who was stealing upon them unawares and thus warning them of their danger. Punch sustained 4 bullet wounds and Judy a long graze down her back.”
Judy – Pedigree Pointer
Date of Award: May 1946
“For magnificent courage and endurance in Japanese prison camps, which helped to maintain morale among her fellow prisoners and also for saving many lives through her intelligence and watchfulness.”
Peter – Collie
Date of Award: November 1945
“For locating victims trapped under blitzed buildings while serving with the MAP attached to Civil Defence of London.
Rip – Mongrel
Stray picked up by Civil Defence Squad at Poplar, London E14
Date of Award: 1945
“For locating many air-raid victims during the blitz of 1940.”
Sheila – Collie
Date of Award: 2 July 1945
“For assisting in the rescue of four American Airmen lost on the Cheviots in a blizzard after an air crash in December, 1944.”
Rex – Alsatian
MAP Civil Defence Rescue Dog
Date of Award: April 1945
“For outstanding good work in the location of casualties in burning buildings. Undaunted by smouldering debris, thick smoke, intense heat and jets of water from fire hoses, this dog displayed uncanny intelligence and outstanding determination in his efforts to follow up any scent which led him to a trapped casualty.”
Rifleman Khan – Alsatian
147. 6th Battalion Cameronians (SR)
Date of Award: 27 March 1945
“For rescuing L/Cpl. Muldoon from drowning under heavy shell fire at the assault of Walcheren, November 1944, while serving with the 6th Cameronians (SR).”
Thorn – Alsatian
MAP Serving with Civil Defence
Date of Award: 2 March 1945
“For locating air-raid casualties in spite of thick smoke in a burning building.”
Rob – Collie
War Dog No. 471/332
Special Air Service
Date of Award: 22 January 1945
“Took part in landings during North African Campaign with an Infantry unit and later served with a Special Air Unit in Italy as patrol and guard on small detachments lying-up in enemy territory. His presence with these parties saved many of them from discovery and subsequent capture or destruction. Rob made over 20 parachute descents.”
Beauty – Wire-Haired Terrier
PDSA Rescue Squad
Date of Award: 12 January 1945
“For being the pioneer dog in locating buried air-raid victims while serving with a PDSA Rescue Squad.”
Irma – Alsatian
MAP Serving with Civil Defence
Date of Award: 12 January 1945
“For being responsible for the rescue of persons trapped under blitzed buildings while serving with the Civil Defences of London.”
Jet – Alsatian
MAP Serving with Civil Defence
Date of Award: 12 January 1945
“For being responsible for the rescue of persons trapped under blitzed buildings while serving with the Civil Defence Services of London.”
Bob – Mongrel
6th Royal West Kent Regt.
Date of Award: 24 March 1944
“For constant devotion to duty with special mention of Patrol work at Green Hill, North Africa, while serving with the 6th Battalion Queens Own Royal West Kent Regt.”
Pigeons
White Vision
Pigeon – SURP.41.L.3089
Date of Award: 2 December 1943
“For delivering a message under exceptionally difficult conditions and so contributing to the rescue of an Air Crew while serving with the RAF in October 1943.”
Winkie
Pigeon – NEHU.40.NS.1
Date of Award: 2 December 1943
“For delivering a message under exceptionally difficult conditions and so contributing to the rescue of an Air Crew while serving with the RAF in February, 1942.”
Tyke (also known as George)
Pigeon – Number 1263 MEPS 43
Date of Award: 2 December 1943
“For delivering a message under exceptionally difficult conditions and so contributing to the rescue of an Air Crew, while serving with the RAF in the Mediterranean in June, 1943.”
Beach Comber
Pigeon – NPS.41.NS.4230
Date of Award: 6 March 1944
“For bringing the first news to this country of the landing at Dieppe, under hazardous conditions in September, 1942, while serving with the Canadian Army.”
Gustav
Pigeon – NPS.42.31066
Date of Award: 1 September 1944
“For delivering the first message from the Normandy Beaches from a ship off the beach-head while serving with the RAF on 6 June 1944.”
Paddy
Pigeon – NPS.43.9451
Date of Award: 1 September 1944
“For the best recorded time with a message from the Normandy Operations, while serving with the RAF in June, 1944.”
Kenley Lass
Pigeon – NURP.36.JH.190
Date of Award: March 1945
“For being the first pigeon to be used with success for secret communications from an Agent in enemy-occupied France while serving with the NPS in October 1940.”
Navy Blue
Pigeon – NPS.41.NS.2862
Date of Award: March 1945
“For delivering an important message from a Raiding Party on the West Coast of France, although injured, while serving with the RAF in June, 1944.
Flying Dutchman
Pigeon – NPS.42.NS.44802
Date of Award: March 1945
“For successfully delivering messages from Agents in Holland on three occasions. Missing on fourth mission, while serving with the RAF in 1944.”
Dutch Coast
Pigeon – NURP.41. A.2164
Date of Award: March 1945
“For delivering an SOS from a ditched Air Crew close to the enemy coast 288 miles distance in 7½ hours, under unfavourable conditions, while serving with the RAF in April 1942.”
Commando
Pigeon – NURP.38.EGU.242
Date of Award: March 1945
“For successfully delivering messages from Agents in Occupied France on three occasions: twice under exceptionally adverse conditions, while serving with the NPS in 1942.”
Royal Blue
Pigeon – NURP.40.GVIS.453
Date of award: March 1945
“For being the first pigeon in this war to deliver a message from a forced landed aircraft on the Continent while serving with the RAF in October, 1940.”
Ruhr Express
Pigeon – NPS.43.29018
Date of Award: May 1945
“For carrying an important message from the Ruhr Pocket in excellent time, while serving with the RAF in April, 1945.”
William of Orange
Pigeon – NPS.42.NS.15125
Date of Award: May 1945
“For delivering a message from the Arnheim Airborne Operation in record time for any single pigeon, while serving with the APS in September 1944.”
Scotch Lass
Pigeon – NPS.42.21610
Date of Award: June 1945
“For bringing 38 microphotographs across the North Sea in good time although injured, while serving with the RAF in Holland in September 1944.”
Billy
Pigeon – NU.41.HQ.4373
Date of Award: August 1945
“For delivering a message from a force-landed bomber, while in a state of complete collapse and under exceptionally bad weather conditions, while serving with the RAF in 1942.”
Broad Arrow
Pigeon – 41.BA.2793
Date of Award: October 1945
“For bringing important messages three times from enemy occupied country, viz: May 1943, June 1943 and August 1943, while serving with the Special Service from the Continent.”
Pigeon – NPS.42.NS.2780
Date of Award: October 1945
“For bringing important messages three times from enemy occupied country, viz: July 1942, August 1942 and April 1943, while serving with the Special Service from the Continent.”
Pigeon – NPS.42.NS.7524
Date of Award: October 1945
“For bringing important messages three times from enemy-occupied country, viz: July 1942, May 1943 and July 1943, while serving with the Special Service from the continent.”
Maquis
Pigeon – NPSNS.42.36392
Date of Award: October 1945
“For bringing important messages three times from enemy occupied country, viz: May 1943 (Amiens) February, 1944 (Combined Operations) and June, 1944 (French Maquis) while serving with the Special Service from the Continent.”
Mary
Pigeon – NURP.40.WCE.249
Date of Award: November 1945
“For outstanding endurance on War Service in spite of wounds.
Tommy
Pigeon – NURP.41.DHZ56
Date of Award: February 1946
“For delivering a valuable message from Holland to Lancashire under difficult conditions, while serving with NPS in July 1942.”
All Alone
Pigeon – NURP.39.SDS.39
Date of Award: February 1946
“For delivering an important message in one day over a distance of 400 miles, while serving with the NPS in August, 1943.”
Princess
Pigeon – 42WD593
Date of Award: May 1946
“Sent on special mission to Crete, this pigeon returned to her loft (RAF Alexandria) having travelled about 500 miles mostly over sea, with most valuable information. One of the finest performances in the war record of the Pigeon Service.”
Mercury
Pigeon – NURP.37.CEN.335
Date of Award: August 1946
“For carrying out a special task involving a flight of 480 miles from Northern Denmark while serving with the Special Section Army Pigeon Service in July 1942.”
Pigeon – NURP.38.BPC.6.
Date of Award: August 1946
“For three outstanding flights from France while serving with the Special Section, Army Pigeon Service, 11 July 1941, 9 September 1941, and 29 November 1941.”
GI Joe
Pigeon – USA43SC6390
Date of Award: August 1946
“This bird is credited with making the most outstanding flight by a USA Army Pigeon in World War II. Making the 20 mile flight from British 10th Army HQ, in the same number of minutes, it brought a message which arrived just in time to save the lives of at least 100 Allied soldiers from being bombed by their own planes.”
Duke of Normandy
Pigeon – NURP.41.SBC.219
Date of Award: 8 January 1947
“For being the first bird to arrive with a message from Paratroops of 21st Army Group behind enemy lines on D Day 6 June, 1944, while serving with APS.”
Pigeon – NURP.43.CC.1418
Date of Award: 8 January 1947
“For the fastest flight with message from 6th Airborne Div. Normandy, 7 June, 1944, while serving with APS.”
Pigeon – DD.43.T.139 (Australian Army Signal Corps)
Date of award: February 1947
“During a heavy tropical storm this bird was released from Army Boat 1402 which had foundered on Wadou Beach in the Huon Gulf. Homing 40 miles to Madang it brought a message which enabled a rescue ship to be sent in time to salvage the craft and its valuable cargo of stores and ammunition.”
Pigeon – DD.43.Q.879 (Australian Army Signal Corps)
Date of award: February 1947
“During an attack by Japanese on a US Marine patrol on Manus Island, pigeons were released to warn headquarters of an impending enemy counter-attack. Two were shot down but DD43 despite heavy fire directed at it reached HQ with the result that enemy concentrations were bombed and the patrol extricated.”
Cologne
Pigeon - NURP39.NPS.144
Date of Award: unknown
“For homing from a crashed aircraft over Cologne although seriously wounded, while serving with the RAF in 1943.”
Horses
Sergeant Reckless – Horse
Date of Award: awarded posthumously on 27 July 2016
“For attention to duty, devotion and loyalty to the United States Marine Corps”
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Olga – Police Horse
Date of Award: 11 April 1947
“On duty when a flying bomb demolished four houses in Tooting and a plate-glass window crashed immediately in front of her. Olga, after bolting for 100 yards, returned to the scene of the incident and remained on duty with her rider, controlling traffic and assisting rescue organisations.”
Upstart – Police Horse
Date of Award: 11 April 1947
“While on patrol duty in Bethnal Green a flying bomb exploded within 75 yards, showering both horse and rider with broken glass and debris. Upstart was completely unperturbed and remained quietly on duty with his rider controlling traffic, etc., until the incident had been dealt with.”
Regal – Police Horse
Date of Award: 11 April 1947
“Was twice in burning stables caused by explosive incendiaries at Muswell Hill. Although receiving minor injuries, being covered by debris and close to the flames, this horse showed no signs of panic.”
Cats
Simon – Cat
Date of Award: awarded posthumously 1949
“Served on HMS Amethyst during the Yangtse Incident, disposing of many rats though wounded by shell blast. Throughout the incident his behaviour was of the highest order, although the blast was capable of making a hole over a foot in diameter in a steel plate.”
Honorary PDSA Dickin Medal awarded to heroic WWI war horse
Warrior receives ‘animal VC’ on behalf of all animals that served
The gallantry and devotion of millions of animals that served with our armed forces during World War I have been honoured with the presentation of a prestigious Honorary PDSA Dickin Medal* – the animals’ Victoria Cross – to heroic war horse, Warrior.
In this centenary year of the Great War, veterinary charity PDSA’s award - the first Honorary PDSA Dickin Medal ever presented in the charity’s 97 year history - ensures that all the animals that served on the front line during World War I are duly recognised for their gallantry and devotion to duty.
Dubbed ‘the horse the Germans could not kill’, Warrior posthumously receives his honorary medal at a special ceremony, compèred by Kate Adie OBE, at the IWM London today (7pm, Tuesday 2 September). It is being accepted by author and broadcaster Brough Scott MBE, grandson of Warrior’s owner and rider, General Jack Seely.
Warrior arrived on the front line in 1914 and remained there with General Jack Seely throughout World War I. He was subjected to machine gun attacks by air and survived falling shells at the Battle of the Somme. He was buried under debris and got stuck in the mud at Passchendaele, and was twice trapped under the burning beams of his stables. He was an inspiration to the soldiers as they faced their greatest fears in the battle against bayonets, bullets, gas and tanks. Warrior was a true survivor and his story epitomises the vital roles played by millions of animals. (See Warrior’s full story, below).
Celebrities including Steven Spielberg – director of the Oscar-nominated film War Horse – have shown their support for this honorary award. Spielberg said: “Warrior is an extraordinary example of the resilience, strength, and profound contribution that horses made to the Great War. Recognising him with an Honorary PDSA Dickin Medal is a fitting and poignant tribute not only to this remarkable animal, but to all animals that served.” Other celebrity supporters of this honorary award include Paul O’Grady MBE, Sir Bruce Forsyth and Matt Baker.
The PDSA Dickin Medal was instituted by the charity’s founder Maria Dickin, CBE, in 1943. She was inspired to do so by the gallantry displayed by animals on active service in World War II. To date, 75 medals have been awarded.
The medal is recognised worldwide as the highest award any animal can achieve while serving in military conflict. Today, Warrior became the first to receive an honorary award and the first ever World War I recipient of a PDSA Dickin Medal.
At the historic event, PDSA Director General, Jan McLoughlin, said: “Warrior’s gallantry and devotion to duty throughout World War I reflects the bravery shown by the millions of horses, dogs, pigeons and other animals engaged in the war. That is why he is a worthy recipient of this very special Honorary PDSA Dickin Medal – the first and only of its kind.
“And in this anniversary year of remembrance there can surely be no more fitting way to honour the bravery and sacrifice that millions of noble animals displayed during World War I.”
Commenting on the award, Brough Scott MBE (grandson of Warrior’s rider, General Jack Seely), said: “It is with great pride and gratitude that I accept this Honorary PDSA Dickin Medal on behalf of Warrior and all the remarkable animals in World War I. Warrior’s story – which I grew up hearing at my mothers’ knee – was lost in time to the wider world. But now he rides again 100 years later, thanks to PDSA.
“My family and I are more than honoured that Warrior has been given this award on behalf of all animals that also served; we are truly humbled. I only wish Jack Seely were here today to witness Warrior receiving the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross.”
Gina Koutsika, Head of National & International Programmes & Projects at IWM, said “Over 16 million animals served in the First World War. They were used for transport, communication and companionship. Our love for animals is something that will never change and many members of the First World War Centenary Partnership are reflecting this in their programming. By honouring Warrior in the centenary year, PDSA have brought to the forefront the story of all animals.”
The PDSA Dickin Medal is a large, bronze medallion bearing the words “For Gallantry” and “We Also Serve” all within a laurel wreath. The ribbon is striped green, dark brown and pale blue representing water, earth and air to symbolise the naval, land and air forces. Warrior’s medal also features a bronze ‘Honorary’ bar on the striped ribbon.
Warrior’s story
Warrior arrived on the Western Front on 11 August 1914 with General Jack Seely (who later became Lord Mottistone) and remained on the front line throughout the war.
They saw action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916. Warrior was dug out of the mud of Passchendaele and twice trapped under the burning beams of his stables. Many times he charged towards the enemy, only to witness the men and his fellow cavalry horses cut down by gunfire and shells.
According to records, Warrior displayed gallantry above and beyond the call of duty. He was an inspiration to the soldiers as they faced their greatest fears in the battle against bayonets, bullets, gas and tanks.
Despite sustaining several injuries, Warrior survived and returned home to the Isle of Wight in 1918, where he lived with the Seely family until his death aged 33.
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