Sergeant Gander by Robyn Walker Page B

made me indescribably miserable.” 3
    She decided to make the provision of veterinary care for the poor her social cause, and on November 17, 1917, she opened her first dispensary. A notice advertising the opening read simply: “Bring your sick animals. Do not let them
    Victoria Cross
    Introduced by Queen Victoria in 1856, to reward acts of valour during the Crimean War (1853–56), the Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest award for valour “in the face of the enemy” in the United Kingdom, some Commonwealth countries, and former British Empire territories. It may be awarded to any enlisted personnel (any rank) or civilians under military command. The VC is awarded for, “most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.” The medal is extremely rare, having been awarded only 1,356 times to 1,353 recipients since its inception. 6 It is a bronze cross with a Crown and Lion superimposed and the words, “For Valour.” Ninety-four Canadians have been awarded the British Victoria Cross, none since 1945. Since Newfoundland was not part of Canada prior to 1945, Victoria Cross recipients from Newfoundland are identified separately. In 1993, it was decided that Canadians would no longer be eligible for the British Victoria Cross — it was replaced by a Canadian Victoria Cross and has yet to be awarded.

    Fred Kelly with Rimshot.
    suffer. All animals treated. All treatment free.” 4 The response was overwhelming, and soon Dickin began opening more dispensaries. By 1935, she had established five PDSA hospitals, seventy-one dispensaries, and eleven mobile dispensaries, eventually expanding her philanthropic endeavours to Greece, Egypt, South Africa, and Palestine. Although Dickin died in 1951, at the age of eighty-one, her legacy to the care of animals continues as the PDSA is still going strong today.

    Gander’s medal cer–emony. Jeremy Swanson (far left), Fred Kelly (holding leash), Rimshot (front), and Eileen Elms (nee Chafe, the little girl from the sled photo–graph).
    Maria Dickin established the PDSA Dickin Medal in 1943 to recognize “any animal displaying conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty whilst serving with the British Commonwealth armed forces or civil emergency services.” 5 The bronze medallion bears the words, “For Gallantry” and “We Also Serve” and is considered the animals’ Victoria Cross. Since its inception it has been awarded sixty-two times (as of 2008). With the documentation provided by Jeremy Swanson, the Hong Kong Veterans’ Association forwarded an application to the PDSA requesting that Gander be considered for the PDSA Dickin Medal.
    The PDSA was stunned to receive the medal request, as no such request had been submitted in over fifty years. After reviewing the extensive documentation accompanying the application for Gander’s medal the PDSA quickly approved awarding the medal to Gander. Then PDSA Director General Marilyn Rydstrom stated, “We were surprised to receive the Association’s request and comprehensive support documentation — the first in over fifty years to be submitted to the PDSA. Gander’s story exemplifies the heroism displayed by many animals who served alongside British and Commonwealth forces during the Second World War. In some cases they performed outstanding acts, as did Gander, while others played equally significant roles by boosting morale among prisoners of war, carrying vital messages, and detecting humans and animals buried under bomb damaged buildings. We are delighted to add Gander’s name to this illustrious list.” 7
    On October 27, 2000, an award ceremony was held at the British High Commission in Ottawa. Members of the PDSA, the Hong Kong Veterans’ Association, and the Royal Rifles of Canada, as well as many other invited guests, were on hand as