#FactFriday A four-legged Hero! DYK a Canadian dog won the Dickin Medal in 2000? Sergeant Gander, the Royal Rifles of Canada Regiment’s Newfoundland dog, was awarded the Dickin Medal in 2000, for his bravery during the #SWW. In 1941, Sgt Gander was sent to Hong Kong with the Regiment to defend the land from an enemy invasion. Gander was a mascot, but he was also seen as a fellow soldier with a job to perform. He faced the enemy down with frightening barks and nipped at their legs, scaring them away. One night in December 1941, Gander showed his true courage. Gander saw a grenade tossed near a group of wounded Canadian soldiers. Gander grabbed the grenade and ran away with it, carrying the grenade out of range. While Gander died from the explosion, the mascot’s act of bravery saved the lives of seven soldiers. Those men never forgot Sergeant Gander. The PDSA Dickin Medal, recognised worldwide as the animals’ Victoria Cross, is awarded to animals displaying true bravery or devotion to duty while serving or associated with any branch of the Armed Forces or Civil Defence Units. The PDSA Dickin Medal is the highest award any animal can receive whilst serving in military conflict. Gander’s medal was the first awarded to a Canadian animal and is now displayed at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. #StrongProudReady #rememberthem Canadian War Museum Canada Remembers PDSA - For Pets in Need of Vets
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 18:00:01 +0000