Pigeons are lifesavers of wartime. Let’s respect them.
It is time to be kind to pigeons, who are persecuted, kicked and chased.
Where is our Nation of Animal Lovers now?
32 pigeons won the PDSA Dickin Medal, in recognition of their outstanding wartime service and sacrifice. The first of these was Winkie, who saved the lives of four airmen whose plane had crashed into the North Sea.
Here is Winkie’s story -
During World War II, Winkie was aboard a British Bristol Beaufort when it crashed in the North Sea on 23 February 1942 as a result of being badly damaged by enemy fire following a mission to Norway.
Struggling in the freezing waters, the crew remembered one piece of vital equipment, a blue chequered hen, number NEHU 40 NSL. It was a long shot, but she was their only chance as the crew did not have time to radio an accurate position before ditching.
Winkie was set free and flew 120 miles home to Broughty Ferry, where her owner, George Ross discovered the exhausted pigeon. He alerted the airbase at RAF Leuchars in Fife, and a search and rescue mission was launched.
Using the time difference from the plane ditching to the arrival of the pigeon in the loft, and taking into account the wind direction and the inhibition to her flight speed caused by oil spoilage to her feathers, the RAF were able to approximate where the plane ditched. Within 15 minutes the crew's position had been located and a rescue vessel dispatched.
On 2 December 1943, Winkie was awarded the Dickin Medal. The citation read "for delivering a message under exceptional difficulties and so contributing to the rescue of an Air Crew while serving with the RAF in February 1942." Winkie received her medal from Maria Dickin in March 1943.
The crew were rescued and later held a dinner for Winkie, who basked in her cage as she was toasted by the officers.
When Winkie died, Ross donated her and her Dickin Medal to Dundee Art Galleries and Museums. Winkie was the first pigeon to be awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal for their outstanding wartime service and bravery.
Here are a few suggestions for helping pigeons to have a better life: -
Prince William and Kate launched The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood to “drive awareness of, and action on, the extraordinary impact of the early years, changing what we think and do on early childhood, in order to transform society for generations to come.”
The website link is: royalfoundation.com
1. Please ask the Royal Foundation Centre to stress the importance of teaching children to be kind to all creatures, particularly pigeons. What we teach children in the early years stays with them.
2. Ask the Prime Minister to keep his promise, made on Holocaust Memorial Day, to “fight against ALL forms of hatred and prejudice, wherever they are found” by outlawing pigeon abuse and giving pigeons specific protection under the law! No living creature, should be abused.
“Dear Prime Minister
Please keep your promise, made on Holocaust Memorial Day to “fight against all forms of hatred and prejudice, wherever they are found” by outlawing and stopping pigeon abuse in our parks, streets and public places, and giving pigeons specific protection under the new Animal Welfare Sentience laws and the Action Plan for Animal Welfare.
It is unacceptable that pigeon abuse continues in our “Nation of Animal Lovers”. This abuse is heartbreaking to see and limits our freedom to enjoy parks and public places. It also makes parks and public places unsafe, because people, and women in particular, are abused for defending pigeons.”
3. Sign and share my petition. Let’s reach 15,000 signatures:-
4. Hear the song, “Please be Nice to Pigeons”:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWbqyExGnGk
5. How can MPs help? By giving pigeons special protection under the government’s new Animal Welfare Sentience laws and Action Plan for Animal Welfare. Contact your MP at:-
writetothem.com
6. Contact celebrities and the media. I am still waiting to hear from Classic fm, the BBC, Animal Aid and The Imperial War Museum.
Thank you.