A military medal awarded to a Furness racing pigeon for his heroic wartime exploits has gone on display in Barrow.
The Dickin Medal – considered the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross – was awarded to the pigeon Tommy VC, from Dalton, in recognition of his vital work delivering a message from the Dutch Resistance about the location of a German arms factory, which allowed the planning of a successful bombing raid.
The Dickin Medal has only ever been awarded to 75 animals, including 38 dogs, 32 pigeons, four horses and one cat.
Tommy’s Dickin Medal was successfully acquired at auction in January by the Furness Maritime Trust on behalf of the town’s Dock Museum, operated by Westmorland and Furness Council.
Tommy’s medal now takes pride of place in a new display at the Dock Museum honouring the area’s war heroes, alongside the medals awarded to Barrow’s most decorated World War Two hero James (Jimmy) Freel.
The display was unveiled at a ceremony on Thursday by Richard Higgin and Louise Burrow, who are relatives of Tommy’s late owner William Brockbank.
Tommy’s story started in the German-occupied Netherlands, where he ended up after being blown off course during a pigeon race in 1942.
At the time, the German occupying forces had ordered all homing pigeons in the Netherlands to be killed to avoid them being used by resistance fighters to deliver messages.
The exhausted Tommy was found and put in the care of Dutchman Dick Drijver, who was working with the underground resistance movement.
Mr Drijver nursed Tommy back to health, protected him from the authorities and Tommy was later entrusted with an important mission to deliver the message about the location of the arms factory.
Tommy flew the 400 miles to Britain carrying the secret information, along the way being shot at and wounded by German soldiers, and found his way back to owner William Brockbank in Dalton.
The coded message delivered by Tommy was used by the RAF to plan a successful bombing raid on the munitions factory.
In 1946, Tommy was recognised for his bravery and was awarded the Dickin Medal, as well as a Dutch medal for valour.
After the war Mr Brockbank regularly exhibited Tommy at shows, and charged a small fee to those wishing to see the heroic pigeon.
The proceeds were used to purchase a playground for local children and the site is now the location of Dalton Leisure Centre, which bears a plaque in Tommy’s honour.
Animals were first awarded the medal in 1943 after Maria Dickin, who set up the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals, suggested the idea.
Charlotte Hawley, Westmorland and Furness council’s collections and exhibitions manager at the Dock Museum, said: “We were delighted to acquire Tommy’s Dickin Medal and be able to ensure it stays in the Furness area.
“It is such an important story for the area, particularly for Dalton which is a fabulous town with a rich history. We are truly honoured to be the new home for Tommy’s medal.’’
There are plaques in Cumbria commemorating the part homing pigeons played in the war effort.
One is at the Union Jack Club in Workington.
There is also one at the Solway Aviation Museum plus other locations across the county.
