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A CUMBRIAN pigeon fancier was
invited to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in London as part of the
country’s main Remembrance Sunday commemorations in honour of the birds
who played a vital part in Britain’s war efforts.
Bill Southward: ‘I was very proud and honoured’
Bill
Southward, from Egremont, placed a poppy wreath at Whitehall bearing
the words “National Pigeon War Service” in memory of the animals which
died serving Britain and the Allies while at war. He went to London by his wife Mary and friends Tom Gilbertson and Hazel Bird, from Carlisle.During
World War Two, pigeons were vital in carrying messages back to Britain.
Many of their missions were responsible for saving many thousands of
soldiers’ lives.Parachutists were dropped into enemy territory
during the war with a pigeon tucked into their jumpsuits. They would
then be ready to send back coded messages.The Dickin Medal,
known as the Victoria Cross for animals, has only ever been awarded to
60 animals – 32 of them were messenger pigeons.During the
1939-45 war, pigeon fanciers across the country donated more than
200,000 birds to the National Pigeon War Service, which had been
established in 1938 in preparation of the conflict. The service was
deemed to be such a threat that its headquarters in London was the
target of many bombing raids.Mr Southward, 68, has kept pigeons since he was 11 years old.He said: “I’ve marched in the parade down there six or seven times but it was the first time I’ve been asked to lay the wreath.“I got a lump in my throat when I was asked if I would like to do it. I was very proud and honoured.“When the march gets to Horse Guards Parade a member of the Royal family always salutes. This year it was Prince Andrew.“When
I was waiting to lay my wreath and I was wearing my sash and armband
lots of people in the crowd were taking my photograph. I think they’ll
have husbands and fathers who have kept pigeons.”Mr Southward’s
nomination was put forward as he and his wife continue to support the
charity Animals in War. It holds a dinner every year in the House of
Commons to raise funds for different charities. The most recent, held
ahead of the Remembrance events, raised around £1,700.A permanent memorial to the animals which have died serving in wartime can be seen at Park Lane.
invited to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in London as part of the
country’s main Remembrance Sunday commemorations in honour of the birds
who played a vital part in Britain’s war efforts.
Bill Southward: ‘I was very proud and honoured’Bill
Southward, from Egremont, placed a poppy wreath at Whitehall bearing
the words “National Pigeon War Service” in memory of the animals which
died serving Britain and the Allies while at war. He went to London by his wife Mary and friends Tom Gilbertson and Hazel Bird, from Carlisle.During
World War Two, pigeons were vital in carrying messages back to Britain.
Many of their missions were responsible for saving many thousands of
soldiers’ lives.Parachutists were dropped into enemy territory
during the war with a pigeon tucked into their jumpsuits. They would
then be ready to send back coded messages.The Dickin Medal,
known as the Victoria Cross for animals, has only ever been awarded to
60 animals – 32 of them were messenger pigeons.During the
1939-45 war, pigeon fanciers across the country donated more than
200,000 birds to the National Pigeon War Service, which had been
established in 1938 in preparation of the conflict. The service was
deemed to be such a threat that its headquarters in London was the
target of many bombing raids.Mr Southward, 68, has kept pigeons since he was 11 years old.He said: “I’ve marched in the parade down there six or seven times but it was the first time I’ve been asked to lay the wreath.“I got a lump in my throat when I was asked if I would like to do it. I was very proud and honoured.“When the march gets to Horse Guards Parade a member of the Royal family always salutes. This year it was Prince Andrew.“When
I was waiting to lay my wreath and I was wearing my sash and armband
lots of people in the crowd were taking my photograph. I think they’ll
have husbands and fathers who have kept pigeons.”Mr Southward’s
nomination was put forward as he and his wife continue to support the
charity Animals in War. It holds a dinner every year in the House of
Commons to raise funds for different charities. The most recent, held
ahead of the Remembrance events, raised around £1,700.A permanent memorial to the animals which have died serving in wartime can be seen at Park Lane.
