PDSA Dickin medal for animals

Did any of you Berners out there know that there was a medal for animals for bravery and valour? It's called the PDSA Dickin medal and was first awarded in 1943. To date there have been well over sixty medals all individually struck and given out to such diverse heros as Pidgeons, a Cat, a Fox , three horses and 27 dogs. Every single one of those recipients were put forward by the Army , Navy or RAF, and the ribbon the medals hang on is Green, Dark Brown and Pale Blue to represent the armed services. Twenty seven dogs, of all shapes and sizes who have loved helped and protected their two legs. The medals have been presented by royalty , in person, and posthumously showing just how much we animals mean to our two legs.
Probably the one you will all remember the most is an army explosives search spaniel  called Theo.  He and his two legs called Tasker were out on patrol when a sniper shot and killed his handler, the following day Theo died from an unexplained seizure..... Some people say a broken heart. Infact he is one of six dogs killed in action while supporting our armed forces. Theo's ashes were sent back with his handler for buriel in this country.  Once in a while a Dickin medal will come up for auction, and the last one fetched well over £20,000 but most are held with care at regimental displays or museums. One is now part of the new State Coach Britannia made in Australia as a present for the queen and I can't think of a safer place for it to be......of those sixty odd medal holders,  twelve are buried with honours at the PDSA cemetary at Ilford in Essex, along with 3000 other animals that were part of someone's life. Think I might have a word with she who must be obeyed..... I know where I would like my tag to hang one day, and  now it's possible to do it.   But then there's all those other dogs that we seem to forget. The search and rescue dogs killed in 911,  the mountain rescue dogs, the hearing, seeing, and doing dogs that work to help and protect two legs.  Dogs that can answer phones, unpack washing, put the lights on, dogs like Endal who is also buried at Ilford. Do you remember Endal, the first Hound for Heroes Labrador.  .... Cont.