Isle of Wight war horse ‘Warrior’ today (Tuesday 2nd September) became the first WWI recipient of ‘animal VC’ on behalf of all animals that served.
The medal was accepted by writer and broadcaster, Brough Scott, grandson of Warrior’s rider, General Jack Seely.
Posthumous award
Veterinary charity PDSA awarded the honorary medal – recognised worldwide as the animals’ Victoria Cross – to heroic World War I war horse, Warrior.
He posthumously received his medal today on behalf of all animals that served at a historic ceremony at the Imperial War Museum in London.
Served with General Jack Seely
Dubbed ‘the horse the Germans could not kill’, Warrior arrived on the Western Front on 11 August 1914 with his owner General Jack Seely (who later became Lord Mottistone) and remained on the Front Line throughout World War I.
He was subjected to machine gun attacks by air and survived falling shells at the Battle of the Somme. He was buried under debris and got stuck in the mud at Passchendaele, and was twice trapped under the burning beams of his stables. He was an inspiration to the soldiers as they faced their greatest fears in the battle against bayonets, bullets, gas and tanks. Warrior was a true survivor and his story epitomises the vital roles played by millions of animals.
Lived until aged 33
Despite being injured several times, Warrior survived and returned home to the Isle of Wight in 1918 where he lived with the Seely family until his death aged 33.
Celebrities including Steven Spielberg – director of the Oscar-nominated film War Horse – have shown their support for this honorary award. Spielberg said:
“Warrior is an extraordinary example of the resilience, strength, and profound contribution that horses made to the Great War. Recognising him with an Honorary PDSA Dickin Medal is a fitting and poignant tribute not only to this remarkable animal, but to all animals that served.”
Other celebrity supporters of this honorary award including Paul O’Grady MBE, Sir Bruce Forsyth and Matt Baker.
Worldwide recognition
The medal is recognised worldwide as the highest award any animal can achieve while serving in military conflict.
The PDSA Dickin Medal was instituted by PDSA’s founder Maria Dickin, CBE, in 1943. It is the highest award any animal can attain while serving in military conflict. To date 65 PDSA Dickin Medals to be awarded*. Warrior became the first to receive an Honorary Dickin Medal and the first ever World War I recipient.
For more information about the PDSA Dickin Medal visit www.pdsa.org.uk/DickinMedal.
Image: © General Seely and Warrior at the Scout Camp of 1934 courtesy of Barry Groves
* The last recipient of the PDSA Dickin Medal was Military Working Dog, Sasha, in May 2014.
