Nieuws
Wartime winged messenger to be honoured with an historic fly-past

25/09/2010 Davy Deckers Categorie: English Corner

One of Northern Ireland's smallest World War II heroes is to be honoured on Friday.


One of Northern Ireland's smallest World War II heroes is to be honoured on Friday.

Paddy, a messenger pigeon who served with the RAF during the Normandy operations in June 1944, will be remembered in his home town of Larne.


Paddy was born and raised in Carnlough

PDSA, Britain's biggest veterinary charity, awarded Paddy the Dickin Medal, dubbed the animals' "Victoria Cross", 65 years ago this month.

He received it for being the first pigeon to reach England with a coded message from the battle-front beaches of D-Day.

The brave bird brought back vital information about the Allies' progress, flying 230 miles in four hours 50 minutes - the fastest time of any of the messenger pigeons involved in the mission with an average speed of 56mph.

PDSA spokesman James Puxty said: "Paddy's contribution to the D-Day operations was a credit to the thousands of messenger pigeons donated by the racing pigeon fraternity for service during World War II.

"He was one of 32 brave, feathered heroes that received the PDSA Dickin Medal for their life-saving flights during the war, and the only recipient from Northern Ireland."

Local hero

Paddy was born and raised in Carnlough and joined thousands of other racing birds who were trained and drafted to RAF Hurn in Hampshire for military service.

Impressing military brass with his flying in the Air-Sea rescue units he was seconded to the United States First Army for undercover missions during the Normandy Landings.

In the face of poor weather conditions and the threat of German falcons, deployed to intercept Paddy and his comrades, he delivered his message to his home loft at RAF Hurn.

After the war Paddy returned to Carnlough and lived out his days with his owner Captain Andrew Hughes, until his death in 1954.

A memorial to the winged hero was erected in Carnlough harbour.

The Dickin Medal was instituted in 1943 A feathered fly-past of pigeons will form part of the Paddy Memorial Day event being held at Larne Museum and Arts Centre.


The Dickin Medal was instituted in 1943

Larne Borough Council and the town's historical society will be joined by guests from PDSA and the owner of Paddy's PDSA Dickin Medal, former Irish Army officer Kevin Spring.

Younger guests will be entertained by Gail Seekamp, the children's author, who will be reading from her book "Paddy the Pigeon".

The Dickin Medal was introduced in 1943 by Maria Dickin, PDSA's founder. She wanted to recognise the gallantry and devotion to duty of animals serving with the Armed Forces and Civil Defence units during WWII.

Source: BBC

Tags: northern ireland, paddy, uk, world waar ii

Reacties

Er zijn nog geen reacties op dit artikel...

Reageer

Je moet aangemeld zijn om te reageren.

Relevante nieuwsitems

12/10/2012 Stuart & Tracy Fawcett, Darlington UK
1/08/2012 Hitchcock Racing Pigeons, UK De Rauw-Sablon (M.Aelbrecht) & Deweerdt en Zn Collection
18/05/2012 Gregg Bros & McCandless of Ligoniel, Belfast, Northern Ireland
21/01/2012 Pigeon fanciers flock to Blackpool for 40th anniversary
18/01/2012 Portsoy: Former farmer celebrates 100th
14/01/2012 Swindon: Pigeons take off as fright works
14/01/2012 Morley’s pigeons get stay of execution
10/01/2012 Asbos ban Trowbridge pensioners from feeding pigeons
30/12/2011 Racing birds beaten in Whitchurch
23/12/2011 Who you calling bird brain? Pigeons can count as well as monkeys, claims study
23/12/2011 Grant Dingwall found not guilty of assault during row over pigeons
22/12/2011 Sittner-Premier UK (Merksplas) 1ste provinciaal Argenton oude
18/12/2011 Hawks to take on pigeons
10/12/2011 Pigeon racing: Familiar faces clinch Sentinel Cup crown
9/12/2011 Cleckheaton shopkeepers in a flap over pigeon droppings
9/12/2011 Kingston: Do not feed the pigeons... or you'll lose council home
8/12/2011 Kingston families face eviction if caught feeding birds
7/12/2011 Come fly with me! March pigeon racers enjoy annual awards evening
3/12/2011 Tame pigeon, Spud, has gone missing from his Dovercourt home
30/11/2011 Pigeons killed in fire
22/11/2011 Derby hospital pigeons scared away by hawks and falcons
20/11/2011 Rasen: Hey pest-o – town’s pigeon problem solved
18/11/2011 Pigeon war memorial in Worthing
17/11/2011 Horrified office workers appeal for pigeon cull to stop
14/11/2011 E-mail threats sent to Morley Town Council over pigeon cull plan
10/11/2011 Pigeon problem poser in Winchester
10/11/2011 Pigeon racing club has show dates
9/11/2011 Pigeons race to glory for Peter
2/11/2011 Morley Town Council considers pigeon cull after damage
1/11/2011 Thieves steal 70 pigeons from Newcastle allotment
31/10/2011 Morley’s pigeons facing death sentence after cull proposed
27/10/2011 Shoppers claim pigeons are ruining Basildon town centre
27/10/2011 TRIBUTE: Joseph Devlin
27/10/2011 Pigeons escape council net in North Walsham
22/10/2011 Pigeon fancier campaigns to stop heliport move
21/10/2011 The Lindfield minister who tends to a different kind of flock
18/10/2011 Breeder fined more than £6,700 over illegal pigeon lofts
18/10/2011 On the wing...
18/10/2011 Bulldozers demolish historic college campus
16/10/2011 Ouch!
15/10/2011 Public in a flap over pigeon problem
15/10/2011 Man charged with pensioner murder
15/10/2011 Benwell pigeon owner slams callous thugs
12/10/2011 Brentford and Hounslow Pigeons Under Attack
11/10/2011 New allotments rise from the ashes
11/10/2011 The race is on
6/10/2011 Pride of Tilbury's end of season prize winners revealed
4/10/2011 Tributes paid to town's ex-principal environmental health officer
3/10/2011 Boston: Clare’s succeed as pigeons come home for the last time this season
27/09/2011 Whitby: Results from Billericay birds race
26/09/2011 Can Wokingham be a pigeon-free zone?
24/09/2011 Travelodge guest finds pigeon nest under hotel bed
22/09/2011 Pigeon 'fire' gel deterrent trialled in Bridgnorth
22/09/2011 Dormanstown pigeon owner left distraught after arson
21/09/2011 'Slow and lingering' death for pigeons trapped in Leatherhead netting
19/09/2011 Top two spots a real coup for Taffy
17/09/2011 Stephen seals historic win
16/09/2011 Chemical solution to ongoing pigeon pest
13/09/2011 Pigeons create a donation for Weston Hospicecare
13/09/2011 Pigeon reunited with its owner in Liverpool after being rescued by the Cadets at RAF Woodvale
9/09/2011 Pigeon crash biker on road to recovery
9/09/2011 Birds starving to death in Watford Council netting
9/09/2011 Whitby: South coast pigeons results
9/09/2011 Bridgnorth councillors back anti-pigeon ‘fire gel’
4/09/2011 Arbroath: Pigeon racing results
4/09/2011 Boston: Great Knight for pigeon racing
2/09/2011 Fancier Davie (84) devasted after loft blaze kills nine pigeons
24/08/2011 Stolen pigeons worth £3,000 recovered in Sheldon
23/08/2011 Boston: Kirkman is flying high
23/08/2011 Homing results - Luddenden Foot and Todmorden
23/08/2011 Brechin: Homing
23/08/2011 Project Pigeon lands at New Art Gallery Walsall to celebrate local pigeon fancying heritage
23/08/2011 PIGEON RACING: Norris quartet is tops from Wetherby
18/08/2011 Worksop: Pigeon results
16/08/2011 Ludlow: Pigeon Racing, birds sent to Swainswick
14/08/2011 Warder killed by inhaling fumes from droppings of prisoners' 'pet' pigeons
13/08/2011 Airgun bird 'killer' fined
13/08/2011 Racing pigeon turns up after going missing
12/08/2011 Pigeon club newcomers keep established stars on their toes
12/08/2011 Carnoustie: Homing pigeon results
9/08/2011 Luddenden: Wollaston race dominated by one stable of racers
9/08/2011 Harrogate: Ramsay on cloud nine after bird’s super win
9/08/2011 South Kirkby: Home bird let loose
5/08/2011 CARNOUSTIE and district Racing Pigeon Club: Homing results
4/08/2011 Bristol Royal Infirmary pigeon traps condemned
30/07/2011 Allotment arson attack kills 87 pigeons
30/07/2011 Sunderland man dealt in drugs - for pigeons
30/07/2011 Ticking pigeon racing clock causes panic at Scots railway station
28/07/2011 Halo, halo, who is the patron saint of pigeons?
22/07/2011 Pigeon feeders facing £80 fines in Leicester
20/07/2011 Pigeon group’s donation to college charitable trust
16/07/2011 Arbroath: Racing pigeons
16/07/2011 “Pigeon liberation” ceremony at Naburn Primary School
13/07/2011 No chance of stopping pigeon
13/07/2011 Pigeon imprint left on Telford window after flying accident
12/07/2011 Pigeon Racing results
6/07/2011 Pigeon fan races to the rescue of fellow doo-lover following sick slaughter
6/07/2011 Pigeon fan races to the rescue of fellow doo-lover following sick slaughter
5/07/2011 Mark Gilbert (Windsor) wint 1ste Internationaal Bordeaux 2011 jaarse en duivinnen
5/07/2011 Probe after 52 racing pigeons killed in Edinburgh
4/07/2011 Geoff and Catherine Cooper (Peasedown St John) win 1st International Bordeaux 2011 old birds.
4/07/2011 Mark Gilbert (Windsor) wins 1st International Bordeaux 2011 yearlings and hens.
2/07/2011 Pigeon racing: Search is on for lost birds owner
2/07/2011 Racing pigeons helping youths
30/06/2011 Lincoln pigeon feeders face £75 fines
30/06/2011 Racing pigeon takes liking to Lynchburg bed and breakfast
29/06/2011 Wimbledon hawk eye system that takes to the skies
24/06/2011 Racing pigeons rescued on Scilly
24/06/2011 Boston: Flight delay
24/06/2011 Shed gift joy for pigeon man
23/06/2011 Tilbury: Homing enthusiasts battle elements
22/06/2011 Humbertson: The rapid rise of high-flying team
21/06/2011 Pigeons 260-mile rescue
19/06/2011 D Bullen and Son (New Addington UK) win 1st International Pau 2011
19/06/2011 D Bullen en zoon (New Addington UK) 1ste internationaal Pau 2011
18/06/2011 Evil killer targets disabled mans hens and pigeons
18/06/2011 Solway Federation of Racing Pigeon Societies
17/06/2011 Albert Draper passes away
17/06/2011 Buzzards and red kites are on the rise
17/06/2011 Pigeon sale raises cash for Hillingdon Hospital
17/06/2011 Thurrock pigeon racers are on form
17/06/2011 Whitton Castle pigeon race
17/06/2011 Epworth policemans pigeons to help excluded teenagers
17/06/2011 Trapped pigeon flue into trouble
16/06/2011 Palace fit for a pigeon
16/06/2011 Fancy that! Pigeons are the new weapon against crime
14/06/2011 Accused man in bird cruelty case saves pigeon
14/06/2011 Shes shared her life with hubbys pigeons but the 40 years have just flown by
13/06/2011 Rare pigeons stolen after rooftop break-in
10/06/2011 Stranded racing pigeon escued by Hucknall animal-lover
9/06/2011 Royal guest has pupils in a flap
9/06/2011 Going hell for feather to keep youngsters out of trouble
9/06/2011 Cash wings its way to hospice
3/06/2011 Comics show of support for blaze victims
3/06/2011 Cudworth farm raid: Pigeons slaughtered
2/06/2011 Rail passengers fume as electrocuted pigeon sparks grass fire
31/05/2011 Thugs kick pigeon to death
31/05/2011 Culling would solve birds of prey problem
30/05/2011 Thugs kick pigeon to death
28/05/2011 Bird killed as Boston pigeon racers compete at Newton Aycliffe
28/05/2011 Pigeon mess not to blame for Carlisle chemist's death - inquest
27/05/2011 Abandoned fancy pigeons found in a flap
27/05/2011 Fire starter faces allotment eviction
27/05/2011 RSPCA appeal after pigeons are shot
27/05/2011 Did pigeons in loft kill Cumbrian shop chemist?
25/05/2011 Lost racing pigeon turns up in Chertsey
20/05/2011 Boston: Pigeons in as Upsall, Frost bite
19/05/2011 Derbyshire: Happy landings as Spondon loft takes top slots
18/05/2011 Second race of the season held by Ludlow Homing Pigeon Society
18/05/2011 Bird with homing back at Mallydams 11 years on
17/05/2011 The Star Inn: all about people - and pigeons
17/05/2011 The net result of when a visiting pigeon tried to walk on water
17/05/2011 UK Youth and Starbucks
15/05/2011 Coo blimey!
13/05/2011 Small dogs attacked by birds in London
12/05/2011 Keeper of the Queens pigeons dies
12/05/2011 Brids record bird not going cheap!
12/05/2011 Birds of prey attacking dogs in London
11/05/2011 Horncastle: High flyers at pigeon racing event
11/05/2011 MAN at the (Pigeon) Races
11/05/2011 The Queens loft manager Carlo passes away
8/05/2011 Pigeon fanciers face tough battle
7/05/2011 Pigeon racer to give talk at Sunderland Central Library
7/05/2011 Disabled mans prize pigeons stolen
6/05/2011 Holywell Town Council scrap plans to employ hawks to rid town of pigeons
6/05/2011 Solway Federation of Racing Pigeon Societies
6/05/2011 Newmarket: Firefighters resuce Pigeon
4/05/2011 New Malden dad fears prosecution over pigeon nest removal
4/05/2011 Johns memory helps the blind
4/05/2011 Locked-up Cumbrian pigeon feeders plan to sue police
1/05/2011 Queen delivers a surprise to help little Ava
1/05/2011 Father fears prosecution over pigeon nest removal
1/05/2011 Council gets the bird, but says sorry to club
29/04/2011 West Cumbrian pigeon feeders locked up for seven hours by police
28/04/2011 Solway Federation of Racing Pigeon Societies
27/04/2011 Anger over North Walsham pigeon cull change-of-heart
25/04/2011 Carlisle actress Roxanne Pallett's date with a bird
23/04/2011 Pigeons die in Northumberland allotment break-in
23/04/2011 Bid to deter pigeon pests in Colne
23/04/2011 Arson attack kills 200 prized pigeons at Sunderland allotment
23/04/2011 Rodney the chicken and Del Boy the pigeon - two inseparable feathered friends
22/04/2011 North Walsham pigeons death sentence lifted
22/04/2011 Kilmarnock: Pigeon racing results
22/04/2011 Feathers fly in West Cumbrian pigeon feud
20/04/2011 Plusnet's new fibre-based broadband quicker than pigeon?
19/04/2011 Crawley pigeons deterred with 'fire' gel
15/04/2011 Lofty ambitions for pigeon medallers
14/04/2011 Reward offered for falcon poisoning prosecution
12/04/2011 Gamekeeper used live pigeon to trap birds of prey, court told
12/04/2011 Readers help shed light on stories behind photos
11/04/2011 Residents call for cull of pigeon pests
8/04/2011 North Walsham pigeons to be culled
7/04/2011 The pigeon with a bread necklace
6/04/2011 Haden Hill House Museum's stuffed birds to stop pigeons
5/04/2011 Pigeon fancier devastated by cree blaze
4/04/2011 Wineka column: Pigeon racers are high fliers
3/04/2011 Pigeons threatened in Pembrokeshire loft planning row
1/04/2011 Kia Introduces Pigeon Fanciers To Prevent Bird Droppings on Forecourts
1/04/2011 Wat-er way to behave: Fountains turning birds into thieves
1/04/2011 Morley’s pigeon problem is ruffling feathers
31/03/2011 Pigeons notices make no sense - campaigner
27/03/2011 Pigeon racing honour for west Cumbrian fancier
27/03/2011 Pembrokeshire pigeon fancier
26/03/2011 National Park in a flap over pigeon loft
18/03/2011 Pair of Peregrine Falcons poisoned in Motherwell
18/03/2011 Scarecrows back in £50m pigeon battle
18/03/2011 Country diary: Northumberland
14/03/2011 Fundraising weekend to remember Jim
12/03/2011 Racing pigeons wiped out in Plains arson attack
12/03/2011 Five famous pigeon fanciers
12/03/2011 Thieves steal racing pigeon flock
2/03/2011 Brunel University controls pigeon population with bird of prey
24/02/2011 Hawkers called in to sort Flintshire pigeon problem
12/02/2011 Falcon breeder wins expansion plans approval
11/02/2011 Kings Norton boss warns of pigeon plague health risk
10/02/2011 Couple celebrate 70 years of marriage
8/02/2011 Crooks smash into allotment in pigeon theft
3/02/2011 Workshops set up to help pigeon fanciers
2/02/2011 Bird man still has the passion
2/02/2011 Lincolnshire pigeon fifth in race
26/01/2011 Twenty pigeons die in suspected arson in Rotherham
25/01/2011 Why do they fancy pigeons?
25/01/2011 Pigeon club honors winners
23/01/2011 Fair game at Andreas fur and feather show
22/01/2011 Falcons are putting pigeon racing on brink, says fancier
17/01/2011 Lofty help for Paul
14/01/2011 Takeaway grease threatens pigeons in Southport
10/01/2011 Racing pigeon shot dead
8/01/2011 Breeder has 67 racing pigeons stolen from Essex loft
8/01/2011 Blackpool: Resort gets ready for pigeons flock
5/01/2011 Police on the tail of New Years pigeon thief
5/01/2011 Pigeon races return to the sky above Narromine
22/12/2010 Picture of the day
9/12/2010 Blackburn pigeon flyer flapping along
7/12/2010 Business diary: Your best shot at investment
4/12/2010 Old Comrades Show - Now 18th and 19th December
1/12/2010 Bitter Cold
27/11/2010 Seeking to do the right thing rather than glory
27/11/2010 Former secretary funded luxury lifestyle after £12m VAT fraud
24/11/2010 Cumbrian pigeon fancier died from rare allergy caused by birds
23/11/2010 Pigeon fanciers descend on South Shields
23/11/2010 Teenager finds new best friend...in a white dove
20/11/2010 Worthing honours military birds
19/11/2010 Real-life Dr Doolittle nurses sick pigeon back to health
19/11/2010 Pigeon fanciers reject falcon poisoning allegations
19/11/2010 Silence in the streets to honour the fallen
19/11/2010 Eccleshill family look for owner of bird that's found new soul mate
18/11/2010 Concerns over pigeon left to die in walls of castle as rescue might cause damage
15/11/2010 Pigeon Beats Broadband in Speed Test... Again
15/11/2010 Time to control hawk population for sake of pigeons and songbirds
14/11/2010 DOWNE: Pigeons flock to Darwin's home for celebration of his work
13/11/2010 Family's tribute to the man loved by everyone
9/11/2010 Sparrowhawk captures pigeon in life and death struggle
6/11/2010 Drugs farm in Leigh pigeon shed
6/11/2010 Guisborough bird fancier to close loft after second raid
5/11/2010 Neighbors Defend Seymour Pigeons
2/11/2010 ‘Evil’ mink blamed for massacre of 50 pigeons
29/10/2010 70-year-old man dies after attack
26/10/2010 OAP devastated as intruders tear his pigeons’ heads off
25/10/2010 Council shock over bogus pigeon protesters
16/10/2010 Half Of Broadband Users ‘Don’t Care’ About Speed
14/10/2010 Picture of the day
13/10/2010 Pigeon fancier killed by birds
13/10/2010 Pigeons have urge to gamble
10/10/2010 Britse wedstrijdduif vliegt 7650 kilometer om
8/10/2010 British racing pigeon ends up 5200 miles away in Panama 'after getting lost'
30/09/2010 Pigeon flies high to raise money for school.
28/09/2010 Grandad who was killed by his love of pigeons
24/09/2010 Reward offered for stolen pigeons at Tyneside loft
24/09/2010 Postduif ontvangt postuum eremedaille
24/09/2010 National title for Duns pigeon fancier
24/09/2010 Top of the Hill fire victim remains 'critical'
17/09/2010 Pensioner critical after pet rescue
17/09/2010 Pigeon race results Solway Federation
17/09/2010 Flying pigeon beats broadband to deliver movie file
15/09/2010 Flying aces relive D-day exploits of Paddy the pigeon
10/09/2010 Portrush man fined again for keeping pigeons
10/09/2010 Pigeon results PETERBOROUGH
10/09/2010 RACING FROM WAKEFIELD
9/09/2010 Pigeon results Solway Federation
6/09/2010 Pigeons die in Milton Keynes arson attack
3/09/2010 RACING FROM RIPON
3/09/2010 Easier flight home this time
3/09/2010 Blue Peter to turn spotlight on Flintshire pigeon racer
2/09/2010 Local film student wins national award
27/08/2010 Pigeon results Solway Federation
27/08/2010 RACING FROM WHITTON CASTLE
26/08/2010 Tributes from Greengairs community to Bill McIntyre
20/08/2010 Racing from Hexham
13/08/2010 Pam’s ordered to cage pigeons on RSPB land
13/08/2010 RACING FROM ARNISTON
13/08/2010 Pigeon results Solway Federation
7/08/2010 Those pigeons go over my dead body, court told
5/08/2010 Suspected arson attack kills 110 racing pigeons
5/08/2010 Homing pigeons
5/08/2010 Pigeon results Solway Federation
30/07/2010 40 pigeons found dead in car park
30/07/2010 Wings over Cannon Street
8/05/2010 Racing pigeon lands 309 miles off course in Teignmouth

Zoeken


Advertenties

 

 

Poll