Free Sergeant Gander by Robyn Walker Page A

Dickin Medal for “being responsible for the rescue of persons trapped under blitzed buildings while serving with the Civil Defence Services in London.”
    There was also a group known as the Animal Rescue Squad who were determined to help recover any pets that were trapped beneath London’s bombed out buildings. One of the group’s officers, Bill Barnet, used his terrier Beauty to help locate victims. Beauty eventually rescued over sixty trapped pets, often digging amidst the rubble until her paws were bloody and sore. Beauty’s PDSA Dickin Medal was awarded to her for being “the pioneer dog in locating buried air-raid victims while serving with a PDSA rescue squad.”

    Beauty.
    The Ilford PDSA Animal Cemetery is the final resting place of over 3,000 animals, including several of the PDSA Dickin Medal winners. Dating back to the 1920s, the cemetery is located just behind the Ilford PDSA branch. Its design reflects the colours of the PDSA Dickin Medal ribbon — brown, green, and blue, colours that symbolize the land, sea, and air forces. Those interested in paying their respects to animals who served in the war are encouraged to visit this cemetery. A quiet and reflective place, it is a fitting memorial not only to much loved pets, but to those animals who served their country in its darkest hours.

Conclusion
    Sergeant Gander was one of hundreds, if not thousands, of animals who acted as a mascot for a military unit during wartime. He provided love and companionship to his fellow soldiers and was a link to home — to a kinder and gentler time when a dog might lie at one’s feet in front of a fireplace, with a casual lick to the hand to let its owner know that all was well. In his role as a military mascot, Sergeant Gander was not unique. However, during the bloody night of December 18/19, 1941, he became more than a mascot by consciously, or unconsciously, putting his life on the line to protect a small group of wounded Canadians.
    How interesting it is that Gander’s heroic act mirrors, almost exactly, the heroism demonstrated by Major John Osborn. Both saw a grenade land, both recognized the danger of the hissing and smoking weapon, and both made a decision to act accordingly. Obviously, Gander may not have had the ability to predict the outcome of his actions, but he took action nonetheless, and that makes him no less a hero than his human counterpart. For his role in saving those Canadian soldiers at the Battle of Hong Kong, and as the only Canadian recipient of the prestigious PDSA Dickin Medal, Sergeant Gander deserves recognition by the Canadian public and the Canadian government. Sergeant Gander has earned his place in history alongside all of the other brave combatants in battle, and his story needs to be told again and again, so that future generations of Canadians may speak his name with pride.

Appendix A
List of PDSA Dickin Medal Recipients
    Dogs: Roll of Honour
    Bob — Mongrel
6th Royal West Kent Regiment
Date of Award: March 24, 1944
    â€œFor constant devotion to duty with special mention of Patrol work at Green Hill, North Africa, while serving with the 6th Battalion Queens Own Royal West Kent Regt.”
    Jet — Alsatian
MAP Serving with Civil Defence
Date of Award: January 12, 1945
    â€œFor being responsible for the rescue of persons trapped under blitzed buildings while serving with the Civil Defence Services of London.”
    Irma — Alsatian
MAP Serving with Civil Defence
Date of Award: January 12, 1945
    â€œFor being responsible for the rescue of persons trapped under blitzed buildings while serving with the Civil Defences of London.”
    Beauty — Wire-Haired Terrier
PDSA Rescue Squad
Date of Award: January 12, 1945
    â€œFor being the pioneer dog in locating buried air-raid victims while serving with a PDSA Rescue Squad.”
    Rob — Collie
War Dog No. 471/332 Special Air Service
Date of Award: January 23, 1945
    â€œTook part