The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Mounted skin of carrier pigeon. The Blue Chequer cock carries an aluminium ring on his right leg impressed '879: D/D: 43:Q.'.
This bird, a Blue Chequer Cock, was located at Loft No 5 of the 1st Australian Pigeon Section, attached to the United States Forces at Manus Island, part of the Admiralty Islands. The bird was bred, and donated to army, by Mr A J Favell, of Victoria.
A copy of the message carried reads: '"G" Brewer Task Force 5.4.44/ Still no activity on H4 road except Jap patrols working out of DRABITO. Estimate one hundred (100) at DRABITO, twenty five at METAWARRI. Heard two shots fired in vicinity of DROMDRA. Last night at least 25 shots were heard at different villages. Natives say Japs have enough food to last for three weeks. During the day 4 Apr 44 a Drum sounded at DRABITO. At that time at least 10 Jap patrols came within 50 yards of us. We could not see them but could hear them talking. My position at this time (143-630). All patrols were coming from SOUTH going to DRABITO. Japs fired at pigeons when they were released at 1300. Natives say there is at least 200 Japs in a two mile radius of DRABITO. No Pill boxes or Trenches in vicinity of DRABITO. DRABITO could be bombed with good results./ Time 0950 released. Place. 155-610 5 April 44.'
United States Lieutenant Colonel F M Huffman, signed the message to confirm the following: 'Time received at Loft 5. 1037K/ Distance Message Carried and Time: 25-30 miles in 47 mins. /Results of Message: DRABITO was bombed with success and valuable information was received at HQ BREWER TASK FORCE.'
The pigeon was awarded the Dickin Medal in February 1947 for carrying the message detailed above. The citation reads: '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.'
Dickin Medal with blue, brown and green ribbon, issued by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. Obverse is embossed 'PDSA For GALLANTRY We also Serve.' Reverse is engraved 'D D43 Q879 Australian
Certificate for Dickin Medal awarded to Blue Chequer Cock pigeon Q879. Front reads 'Awarded to Pigeon No D D43 Q879 for Gallantry carrying a message through heavy fire thereby bringing relief to a Pat
Mounted skin of a carrier pigeon. The Blue Bar cock carries an alumium ring on his right leg that is impressed '139:D [broad arrow]D:43:T'. This pigeon was donated to the army in 1943, as a patrioti
Dickin Medal with blue, brown and green ribbon, issued by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. Obverse is embossed 'PDSA For GALLANTRY We also Serve.' Reverse is engraved 'D D43 Q879 Australian
Certificate for Dickin Medal awarded to Blue Chequer Cock pigeon Q879. Front reads 'Awarded to Pigeon No D D43 Q879 for Gallantry carrying a message through heavy fire thereby bringing relief to a Pat
Mounted skin of a carrier pigeon, a blue bar cock with an aluminium leg ring impressed '167 D[broad arrow symbol]D 44'. This bird was bred by 1 Pigeon Section (Type B) at Lae in November 1944. Duri
Mounted skin of a black chequer hen carrier pigeon. The bird bears an aluminium leg ring stamped '469:D (Broad Arrow) D:44'. This bird was bred in 1944 by No.9 Pigeon Section at Jacquinot Bay, New B
Mounted skin of a blue chequer hen carrier pigeon. The bird bears an aluminium leg ring stamped '624 D[broad arrow symbol]D 42 V'. This bird was bred in 1942 by a civilian pigeon fancier in Victori
