b. ? Hereford. d. ?
DATE OF DM ACTION: 1942-1943 France.
The unnamed bird, codenamed NPS.42.NS.2780, was bred by Mr B Powell of Hereford, before being housed at the Dorset farm of Sir Ernest Debenham. Some of his outbuildings were commandeered by the Army Pigeon Service as they were ideal for pigeons making flights across the English Channel. The whole operation remains classified. Their missions were so top secret that their handlers were not even allowed to see the messages sent. NPS.42.NS.2780 only completed three flights, the first from Constance when released on 23rd July 1942 and returned the same day. The second was from Belgium and the third was from France.
DM CITATION:
For bringing important messages three times from enemy occupied country, viz: July 1942, August 1942 and April 1943, while serving with the Special Service from the Continent.
BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.