b. ? 20 Victoria Road, Bridgewater, Somerset. d. 29/11/1941 Montagne, France.
DATE OF DM ACTION: 1941 France.
She was a chequered hen bred by a renowned pigeon fancier, Stan Bryant, from Bridgewater, Somerset. Stan was a clock-setter for the National Flying Service for over 40 years and his national competition records were excellent. He sent many birds for war service and sadly lost 20.
Stan’s most famous pigeon was used for messages between Bridgewater and the French Resistance. She completed two difficult missions from Angers on 10th July 1941 and, later, from Chartres in September 1941. The messages would be returned to Stan who would pass them on to Mr W Gratton, the pigeon supply officer.
However, on a flight from Montagne, on 29th November 1941, she was sadly lost over the English Channel in appalling weather. Stan was serving in the Forces when his pigeon was awarded the Dickin Medal and his father received the medal on his behalf.
DM CITATION:
For three outstanding flights from France while serving with the Special Section, Army Pigeon Service, 11 July 1941, 9 September 1941, and 29 November 1941.
BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.