The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Certificate Number 41 accompanying the Dickin Medal awarded to Australian pigeon DD 43 T139. The card is printed in black, with the details of the recipient bird hand written in black ink. There is an image of the Dickin Medal in the top left corner. The certificate reads 'THE PEOPLE'S DISPENSARY FOR SICK ANIMALS OF THE POOR/ ALLIED FORCES MASCOT CLUB/ THIS IS TO CERTIFY that Pigeon No. DD43 T139 has been awarded the DICKIN MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY Carrying a message through a severe tropical storm thereby bringing help to an Army boat with vital cargo, in danger of foundering. While serving with Australian Corps of Signals in S.W. Pacific in June, 1943. Date[d] February 26th 1947.' The back of the certificate has typed details of the breeder and donor of the bird to the Army, 'G.Adams Esq. 11 Vigo St. FOOTSCRAY W11 Victoria'.
This certificate accompanied the Dickin Medal awarded to Australian Army Blue Bar cock pigeon DD43 T139 for gallantry as a result of a flight he undertook through a severe tropical storm near Madang, New Guinea, on 12 July 1945. At the time the bird was located at 10 Pigeon Section (Type B) attached to Detachment 55 Port Craft Company, Madang. On that day he carried the following message, from a foundering boat to Madang, flying 40 miles in 50 minutes: 'To: Detachment 55 Australian Port Craft Company, MADANG. From: A.B. 1402. Date: 12.7.45. Engine Failed. Wash on to beach at WADAU owing very heavy seas. Send help immediately. Am rapidly filling with sand. TOO: 0800 - Senders signature - HOLLAND Cpl. TO Liberation 0805 - No. of copies 2. TOR at Loft - 0855'. As a result of the successful delivery of the message the boat, together with valuable stores, ammunition and equipment was salvaged. The bird had previously completed 23 operational flights over a total distance of 1,004 miles. The citation for the award reads: 'Awarded to Pigeon DD43 T139 for gallantry carrying a message through a severe tropical storm thereby bringing help to an army boat with a vital cargo, in danger of foundering.' The pigeon was donated to the army in 1943, as a patriotic gesture by a civilian pigeon fancier, Mr George Adams of 11 Vigo Street, Footscray, Victoria, for use in signals units in New Guinea. Mr Adams, however, was not the bird's breeder. As part of his effort to obtain birds for the war effort Adams approached members of pigeon clubs in the Melbourne area, seeking the donation of birds. After he had approached the Yarraville Pigeon Club, one of its members, Mr Gordon Whittle, whose family had bred and raced pigeons for many years, donated a number of birds. One of the pigeons he bred was the bird who was awarded this Dickin Medal. Note that the date on the Certificate, June 1945, is incorrect, as are the details of the 'breeder'.
Dickin Medal awarded by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals in Britain for animals displaying outstanding gallantry or service in wartime. The bronze medal bears a raised laurel wreath around the
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
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
Portrait of mounted carrier pigeon, Blue Bar cock DD43 T139, with Dickin Medal. The photograph was signed by George Adams and presented to breeder, Gordon Whittle. This pigeon was donated to the army
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
Mounted skin of a blue bar cock carrier pigeon. The bird bears an aluminium leg ring stamped '682:D [broad arrow symbol]D:43:Q'. This bird was bred in 1943 by a civilian pigeon fancier in Queenslan
