Blitz dog’s bravery medal fetches premium price
A bravery award given to Rip, a homeless stray dog who became a Second World War hero by saving the lives of more than 100 air-raid victims during the Blitz, fetched £24,250 [$35,600] at auction [in London] yesterday –- two and a half times more than expected.
The Dickin medal, known as the “animal VC”, was presented to Rip in 1945, five years after he was found bedraggled and starving by ARP warden Edward King after a heavy raid in Poplar, East London.
The friendly mongrel was adopted as the post’s mascot and was trained to sniff out casualties of German air raids. He proved so successful at locating victims trapped under buildings that he was awarded the medal, which he wore on his collar until his death in 1948.
Read entire article at Times (UK)
The Dickin medal, known as the “animal VC”, was presented to Rip in 1945, five years after he was found bedraggled and starving by ARP warden Edward King after a heavy raid in Poplar, East London.
The friendly mongrel was adopted as the post’s mascot and was trained to sniff out casualties of German air raids. He proved so successful at locating victims trapped under buildings that he was awarded the medal, which he wore on his collar until his death in 1948.