Lest We Forget

The PDSA Dickin Medal was created in 1943 in the United Kingdom by Maria Dickin to honour the work of animals in World War II. The bronze medallion, bears the words "For Gallantry" and "We Also Serve" on a ribbon of striped green, dark brown, and pale blue. It is awarded to animals that have displayed "conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty while serving or associated with any branch of the Armed Forces or Civil Defence Units". The award is commonly referred to as "the animals' Victoria Cross".
 
The medal was awarded 54 times between 1943 and 1949 – to 32 pigeons, 18 dogs, 3 horses, and a ship's cat – to acknowledge actions of gallantry or devotion during the Second World War and subsequent conflicts.