Latest news with #DickinMedal
Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- Science
- Daily Mirror
China develops cyborg bees to find disaster survivors
Controllers which weigh less than a pinch of salt are strapped to the back of a worker bee and connected to the insect's brain through small needles in Chinese scientists'' bid to turn bees into cyborgs for special missions It sounds like science fiction but it's become science fact. Chinese experts have created the first 'cyborg bee'. Insects are fitted with abrain controller and receive in flight commands via tiny eclectic pulses. According to the Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering, the development opens up the possibility of bees serving as military scouts. But the use of the animal kingdom by the military is nothing new. From the Egyptian pharaoh Ramses going into battle with his pet lion to a US project which planned bomb carrying bats our four legged and feathered friends have fought - and died - alongside humans for centuries. Dogs Our canine friends have been used for decades by the military in a variety of roles. Thanks to their keen smell, they can locate mines and concealed IEDs - they were regularly used in Afghanistan - and have played vital roles in search and rescue operations being sent out into No Man's Land during WW1 to wounded men. During WW11 dogs were parachuted behind enemy lines to accompany D Day troops. Others were employed on the Home Front to find people buried under rubble after bombing raids. Among the most famous is Rip, a terrier, who is credited with saving the lives of more than 100 people and was awarded the Dickin Medal for bravery in 1945. Horses and camels When WW1 broke out both sides in the combat had large cavalry and horse and camel mounted troops were sent into battle. nHorses were also used to pull ambulances and evacuate wounded men, particularly when vehicles couldn't get through mud-laden roads and battlefields. In the desert, camels could carry two injured men at a time - one either side of its hump. In 2014 a horse called Warrior was posthumously awarded the Dickin Medal after serving the entire campaign and being nicknamed the 'horse they couldn't kill' by Tommies. Mice and canaries Poisonous gas was a real threat to troops so canaries and mice, often housed in cages in the trenches, were kept by WW1 soldiers. Their reaction - and death - was an early warning sign of the presence of toxic fumes. Dolphins Both Russian and US navies have experimented with the use of marine animals, training them to rescue lost naval swimmers, guard ships against enemy divers, locate mines and help recover lost equipment on the sea bed. While dolphins are often acknowledged for their intelligence, seals and sea lions have also been deployed. Whales In 2019, a Beluga whale was found off the coast of Norway wearing a harness labeled Equipment of St. Petersburg . This led to speculation he had been trained by the Russian Navy as a 'spy'. The latest thinking is that the whale, called Hvaldimir, did belong to the military and was being trained to guard a Russian naval base in the Arctic Circle. He had, in fact, abandoned his duties and had swam off seeking freedom. Pigeons These feathery messengers were trained to carry information particularly in WW1 when other forms of communication were difficult. Their role was deemed so crucial that anyone caught killing a pigeon could be imprisoned or fined. The birds were also used in surveillance with the CIA attempting to use pigeon cameras'. A CIA pigeon camera dating from the 1970s is displayed in the CIA Museum in Virginia. Elephants Two circus elephants, Many and Kiri, were used during WW11 in Germany to clear wreckage in the aftermath of Allied bombing raids. Using their huge strength to move debris in order to rebuild the nation, the pair, who had performed in the big top in Hamburg, carried on their work after the war. Both died in the 1960s. Elephants were also used to carry ammunition in the Far East conflict. Cats Ships' cats have long been used in the Royal Navy to control vermin on ships and as acting as mascots. Black and white puss Simon of HMS Amethyst received the Dickin Medal in 1949 after surviving injuries from an artillery shell, raising morale - and killing off a rat infestation on board.
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Judy the hero Boxer dog honoured for charging at gun-toting terrorists and saving her brother's life
The gallantry medal awarded to a hero dog who thwarted a terrorist attack on British officers and saved her brother's life has sold for £22,000. Judy, a Boxer Bitch, and her brother Punch sprang into action after detecting intruders at an army compound in Palestine in the aftermath of Second World War. They barked furiously to alert their masters then charged towards the assailants. The canines were met by a burst of sub-machine fire from the terrorists but did not take a backwards step. The two officers inside the compound heard the commotion and ran outside. They saw a pool of blood which led them to Punch who was seriously wounded with Judy draped over him. She had attempted to shield her brother from further bullets after he was shot in the throat, skull and groin. She somehow emerged unscathed from the firing frenzy other than a bullet graze to her back. The gallantry medal awarded to a hero dog who thwarted a terrorist attack on British officers and saved her brother's life has sold for £22,000. Judy, a Boxer Bitch, and her brother Punch sprung into action after detecting intruders at an army compound in Palestine in the aftermath of Second World War The Dickin Medal awarded to Judy for thwarting the attack on a British Army base in Palestine in 1946 Punch, miraculously, also survived, despite losing three quarters of a pint of blood. The terrorists would have been able to sneak in undetected to the house and murder the officers in cold blood without their dogs' intervention. Judy's devotion to her sibling and willingness to risk her life saved his. Both dogs were awarded the Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent to the Victoria Cross, for their fearless actions protecting their masters on the night of August 5, 1946. Judy's medal was sold by a private collector who has owned it for 14 years. It went under the hammer at auctioneers Noonans, of Mayfair, London, where it outperformed the pre-sale estimate of £14,000 to £18,000. The dogs were the pets of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, who was Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Jerusalem Military Court, and the Adjutant General Lt Col Niven. The officers shared a house in the Jerusalem suburb and, seemingly oblivous to the danger posed to them, had left the front door open. Judy was awarded for her heroics in Palestine. So far 38 dogs have been awarded the Dickin Medal Judy's Dickin Medal citation reads: 'For beating off a terrorist attack on British Officers at risk of her own life while serving with Army H.Q. Palestine, on August 5th 1946.' Returning to the UK and after undergoing quarantine, both dogs were presented with their Dickin Medals during the Royal Tournamentcat Olympia on June 14, 1947. The Dickin Medal was created in 1943 by Maria Dickin, the founder of British veterinary charity the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, to honour animal gallantry during the war. To date, 75 have been awarded by the PDSA, with 38 going to dogs, 32 to pigeons, four to horses and one to a cat. A Noonans spokesperson said: 'This Dickin Medal for gallantry was awarded to Judy, a boxer bitch, for thwarting a night-time terrorist attack on British officers in Palestine. 'Suddenly the dogs became aware of intruders within the compound. 'Racing into the darkness and barking furiously, they were met with a burst of sub-machine gun fire from one or possibly two terrorists within the barbed-wire protected perimeter. 'Apparently the intruders were stealthily creeping towards the house with the intent to kill the officers. The certificate accompanying the Dickin Medal that was awarded to Judy the Boxer 'The barking and gunfire alerted the officers, thwarted the attack and thus saved their lives. 'Judy protected and undoubtedly saved the life of her severely wounded brother Punch, at risk to her own life.' Christopher Mellor-Hill, head of client liaison at Noonans, added: 'The sale of a Dickin Medal is always hugely emotive and this story is no different reflecting bravery and courage as well as emphasising the great British tradition of the almost human-like relationship that dogs have for us and others.' In December 2024, the Dickin Medal awarded to Antis the dog who flew in over 30 wartime combat missions was reunited with his master's family after a £60,000 sale. Antis the Alsatian loyally sat next to his owner Czech airman Robert Bozdech in the turret of a Wellington bomber for operations over Nazi-occupied Europe. He was twice wounded in action; once by shrapnel over Kiel and then when a shell exploded under his aircraft during a raid on Hannover. Antis was the only dog who flew in World War Two operations and his medal had left the Bozdech family when a private collector bought it in 1994. In October 2022, the Dickin Medal for an SAS dog who did over 20 parachute jumps behind enemy lines in World War Two sold for a record £140,000 at Noonans. Rob, a black and white collie-retriever from a Shropshire farm, was involved in the North African campaign and sabotage missions in Italy.
Leader Live
23-05-2025
- Leader Live
Hero dog's medal set to sell for £18k after saving soldiers
Judy was awarded a Dickin Medal, also known as an Animal Victoria Cross, for her actions thwarting a night-time terrorist attack on British officers in Palestine in 1946. She also saved the life of her severely wounded brother Punch during the same incident. The medal will go under the hammer at Noonans in June, with a guide price between £14,000 and £18,000. (Image: Noonans) Explaining Judy's heroics, Christopher Mellor-Hill, head of client liaison at the auction house, said: 'Judy and Punch belonged to Lieutenant-Colonel A. H. K. Campbell, the Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Jerusalem Military Court, and Lieutenant-Colonel H. G. G. Niven, the Adjutant General, who shared a house in a Jerusalem suburb. 'On the evening of August 5, 1946, at about half past ten, the two officers were relaxing at home with their two dogs. 'The front door was open. All was quiet and they had no suspicion that any danger was threatening them. 'Suddenly the dogs became aware of intruders within the compound. Racing into the darkness and barking furiously, they were met with a burst of sub-machine gun fire from one or possibly two terrorists within the barbed wire protected perimeter. (Image: Noonans) 'Apparently, the intruders were stealthily creeping towards the house with the intent to kill the officers. The barking and gunfire, alerted the officers, thwarted the attack and thus saved their lives. 'Police and military parties arrived and, following a trail of blood, found the seriously wounded Punch. He had been hit four times and lay in a pool of blood, apparently dying. His sister, Judy, also covered in blood, stood protectively over him.' The Superintendent of the P.D.S.A. Dispensary in Jerusalem arrived to find Punch had two serious wounds to his throat, and further wounds in his skull and groin – he had also lost almost a pint of blood. To everyone's relief, Punch responded to treatment, and the Superintendent turned his attention to Judy who was covered in blood. (Image: Noonans) However, she was found to be unwounded except for a long bullet graze to her back. It is believed that while covering Punch's body protectively, she had stemmed the flow of blood from his wounds, leaving her covered in it. The following morning nine explosive rounds were found in the garden, while a both dogs made a full recovery. After undergoing quarantine, both dogs were presented with their Dickin Medals during the Royal Tournament at Olympia on June 14, 1947. Mr Mellor-Hill said: 'The sale of a Dickin Medal is always hugely emotive and this story is no different reflecting bravery and courage as well as emphasising the great British tradition of the almost human-like relationship that dogs have for us and others.'
Rhyl Journal
23-05-2025
- Rhyl Journal
Hero dog's medal set to sell for £18k after saving soldiers
Judy was awarded a Dickin Medal, also known as an Animal Victoria Cross, for her actions thwarting a night-time terrorist attack on British officers in Palestine in 1946. She also saved the life of her severely wounded brother Punch during the same incident. The medal will go under the hammer at Noonans in June, with a guide price between £14,000 and £18,000. (Image: Noonans) Explaining Judy's heroics, Christopher Mellor-Hill, head of client liaison at the auction house, said: 'Judy and Punch belonged to Lieutenant-Colonel A. H. K. Campbell, the Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Jerusalem Military Court, and Lieutenant-Colonel H. G. G. Niven, the Adjutant General, who shared a house in a Jerusalem suburb. 'On the evening of August 5, 1946, at about half past ten, the two officers were relaxing at home with their two dogs. 'The front door was open. All was quiet and they had no suspicion that any danger was threatening them. 'Suddenly the dogs became aware of intruders within the compound. Racing into the darkness and barking furiously, they were met with a burst of sub-machine gun fire from one or possibly two terrorists within the barbed wire protected perimeter. (Image: Noonans) 'Apparently, the intruders were stealthily creeping towards the house with the intent to kill the officers. The barking and gunfire, alerted the officers, thwarted the attack and thus saved their lives. 'Police and military parties arrived and, following a trail of blood, found the seriously wounded Punch. He had been hit four times and lay in a pool of blood, apparently dying. His sister, Judy, also covered in blood, stood protectively over him.' The Superintendent of the P.D.S.A. Dispensary in Jerusalem arrived to find Punch had two serious wounds to his throat, and further wounds in his skull and groin – he had also lost almost a pint of blood. To everyone's relief, Punch responded to treatment, and the Superintendent turned his attention to Judy who was covered in blood. (Image: Noonans) However, she was found to be unwounded except for a long bullet graze to her back. It is believed that while covering Punch's body protectively, she had stemmed the flow of blood from his wounds, leaving her covered in it. The following morning nine explosive rounds were found in the garden, while a both dogs made a full recovery. After undergoing quarantine, both dogs were presented with their Dickin Medals during the Royal Tournament at Olympia on June 14, 1947. Mr Mellor-Hill said: 'The sale of a Dickin Medal is always hugely emotive and this story is no different reflecting bravery and courage as well as emphasising the great British tradition of the almost human-like relationship that dogs have for us and others.'
South Wales Guardian
23-05-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Hero dog's medal set to sell for £18k after saving soldiers
Judy was awarded a Dickin Medal, also known as an Animal Victoria Cross, for her actions thwarting a night-time terrorist attack on British officers in Palestine in 1946. She also saved the life of her severely wounded brother Punch during the same incident. The medal will go under the hammer at Noonans in June, with a guide price between £14,000 and £18,000. (Image: Noonans) Explaining Judy's heroics, Christopher Mellor-Hill, head of client liaison at the auction house, said: 'Judy and Punch belonged to Lieutenant-Colonel A. H. K. Campbell, the Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Jerusalem Military Court, and Lieutenant-Colonel H. G. G. Niven, the Adjutant General, who shared a house in a Jerusalem suburb. 'On the evening of August 5, 1946, at about half past ten, the two officers were relaxing at home with their two dogs. 'The front door was open. All was quiet and they had no suspicion that any danger was threatening them. 'Suddenly the dogs became aware of intruders within the compound. Racing into the darkness and barking furiously, they were met with a burst of sub-machine gun fire from one or possibly two terrorists within the barbed wire protected perimeter. (Image: Noonans) 'Apparently, the intruders were stealthily creeping towards the house with the intent to kill the officers. The barking and gunfire, alerted the officers, thwarted the attack and thus saved their lives. 'Police and military parties arrived and, following a trail of blood, found the seriously wounded Punch. He had been hit four times and lay in a pool of blood, apparently dying. His sister, Judy, also covered in blood, stood protectively over him.' The Superintendent of the P.D.S.A. Dispensary in Jerusalem arrived to find Punch had two serious wounds to his throat, and further wounds in his skull and groin – he had also lost almost a pint of blood. To everyone's relief, Punch responded to treatment, and the Superintendent turned his attention to Judy who was covered in blood. (Image: Noonans) However, she was found to be unwounded except for a long bullet graze to her back. It is believed that while covering Punch's body protectively, she had stemmed the flow of blood from his wounds, leaving her covered in it. The following morning nine explosive rounds were found in the garden, while a both dogs made a full recovery. After undergoing quarantine, both dogs were presented with their Dickin Medals during the Royal Tournament at Olympia on June 14, 1947. Mr Mellor-Hill said: 'The sale of a Dickin Medal is always hugely emotive and this story is no different reflecting bravery and courage as well as emphasising the great British tradition of the almost human-like relationship that dogs have for us and others.'
