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Quiz about Dickin Medal Why Do We Call Them Heroes
Quiz about Dickin Medal Why Do We Call Them Heroes

Dickin Medal: Why Do We Call Them Heroes? Quiz


The Dickin Medal is awarded by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals - a UK charity. These are some of the dogs that have won the award - so why do we call them heroes? The information comes from the official internet site of the PDSA Dickin Medal.

A multiple-choice quiz by Toeknee448. Estimated time: 6 mins.
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Author
Toeknee448
Time
6 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
366,002
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
5 / 10
Plays
531
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. The Dickin Medal has a striped ribbon - green, dark brown and pale blue. Given that the recipients all served in a military or military connected unit, for what do these colours stand? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Bob, a mongrel was an official army dog, working on patrol in North Africa. On one occasion he stopped during a patrol and refused to go further. What had he realised? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. In 1945 two Alsatians were individually awarded the Dickin Medal. They had worked with the Civil Defence League during the London Blitz. What was their job? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Rex was an Alsatian who won the Dickin Medal for working with the Civil Defence League. His citation reads "For outstanding good work in the location of casualties, braving buildings, undaunted by smouldering debris, thick smoke, intense heat and ...what else? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. In July 1945 Sheila was awarded the Dickin Medal for ".. assisting in the rescue of four American airmen lost on the Cheviots (a range of hills in England) during a blizzard after an air crash in December 1944. What was her "civilian" job that made her particularly suitable for such a rescue? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Judy was a pedigree pointer, imprisoned in Japan during WII with her owners. Which of these things did she -NOT- do? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Punch and Judy were a pair of boxer dogs honoured with the Dickin Medal in November, 1946. These dogs were both injured in Palestine, with Punch being shot four times and Judy grazed across her back. What were they doing when this happened? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. After WWII, it was necessary to clear the verges of the canals of mines. Ricky, a Welsh collie, was awarded the Dickin Medal for being exceptionally brave.
What did he do when one exploded?
Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Brian was an Alsatian attached to the 13th Airborne Battalion of the Airborne Division. He won a Dickin Medal when he took part in the Normandy landings. How did he get there? (Think of which division of the forces he was in.) Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Dickin Medals are awarded to animals other than dogs. Which kind of animal was awarded the most medals between 1943 and 2013? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The Dickin Medal has a striped ribbon - green, dark brown and pale blue. Given that the recipients all served in a military or military connected unit, for what do these colours stand?

Answer: water, earth and air

These animals,not all of which were dogs, served on land, sea and air, so it is appropriate that the medal ribbon should reflect this. The green represents the green that the sea sometimes seems.

The medal is a large, circular bronze disc and, within a laurel wreath bears the words - "For Gallantry," and "We also serve" It was instituted by Maria Dickin, CBE, founder of the Dispensary for Sick Animals in the UK when she realised how much gallantry these animals displayed as they worked alongside forces personnel in times of war. Later a PDSA Gold Medal was also awarded for "civilian" animals.
2. Bob, a mongrel was an official army dog, working on patrol in North Africa. On one occasion he stopped during a patrol and refused to go further. What had he realised?

Answer: The enemy was only feet away from his patrol

The citation for Bob reads "For constant devotion to duty with special mention of patrol work at Green Hill in North Africa while serving with the 6th Battalion Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment."

The patrol had thought they were going into an area free of enemies but Bob had sensed them before a movement gave their position away.

As this regiment was formed in 1881, the Queen would have been Queen Victoria.
3. In 1945 two Alsatians were individually awarded the Dickin Medal. They had worked with the Civil Defence League during the London Blitz. What was their job?

Answer: Finding buried casualties

Their citations read "For being responsible for the rescue of persons trapped under blitzed buildings." I remember, as a child, being taken by my father to see if my grandparents were safe. We climbed over rubble spread right across everything as far as we could see and we had to search for a route along roads that we had known very well but could not now recognise. The dogs must have been incredibly brave to enter the unstable buildings which still smelt of fire and rubble, and with no comfortable places to put their feet.
These two dogs were Irma and Jet.
4. Rex was an Alsatian who won the Dickin Medal for working with the Civil Defence League. His citation reads "For outstanding good work in the location of casualties, braving buildings, undaunted by smouldering debris, thick smoke, intense heat and ...what else?

Answer: jets of water from the hoses

Rex's citation continues "...this dog displayed uncanny intelligence and outstanding determination in the efforts to follow up any scent which led to a trapped casualty."
5. In July 1945 Sheila was awarded the Dickin Medal for ".. assisting in the rescue of four American airmen lost on the Cheviots (a range of hills in England) during a blizzard after an air crash in December 1944. What was her "civilian" job that made her particularly suitable for such a rescue?

Answer: sheepdog

On the exposed hill tops, it would have been impossible to see the way in a blizzard and many people have died when lost in bad weather on our English hillsides. Sheila was a sheepdog, a collie. She would have regularly searched for lost sheep on those hills and the airmen were lucky to be found by an animal experienced in hunting for her charges in those conditions on the bleak hills.
6. Judy was a pedigree pointer, imprisoned in Japan during WII with her owners. Which of these things did she -NOT- do?

Answer: Steal food for the other prisoners

Judy's medal was awarded for "magnificent courage and endurance in Japanese prison camps which helped maintain morale and courage among her fellow prisoners and also for saving many lives through her intelligence and watchfulness."

She did many other brave and useful acts - bringing debris to keep drowning prisoners afloat when the boat they were being moved in sank, indicating the presence of poisonous snakes, and spooking the guards by running round with a skull in her mouth. In fact, she could have a complete book to herself.

Her award was made in May, 1946
7. Punch and Judy were a pair of boxer dogs honoured with the Dickin Medal in November, 1946. These dogs were both injured in Palestine, with Punch being shot four times and Judy grazed across her back. What were they doing when this happened?

Answer: Attacking an armed terrorist

The armed terrorist was stealing up on the officers when the dogs attacked, warning the officers of the danger. Despite their injuries, the dogs chased away the enemy. Then Judy kept guard over the injured Punch until help arrived. Both dogs survived. In 2011, Judy's medal was sold for £7,200. Sadly, as at that date, Punch's medal seems to have disappeared.
8. After WWII, it was necessary to clear the verges of the canals of mines. Ricky, a Welsh collie, was awarded the Dickin Medal for being exceptionally brave. What did he do when one exploded?

Answer: Kept working, although injured

He found all the mines in his area during the operation, but one exploded. Ricky maintained his composure and kept working despite his head being injured by the blast. Had he become excited, he would have been a danger to the rest of the section working nearby.

Who dares say that dogs do not understand what they are doing, but are simply following a routine, or even that it is just fun for them?
9. Brian was an Alsatian attached to the 13th Airborne Battalion of the Airborne Division. He won a Dickin Medal when he took part in the Normandy landings. How did he get there? (Think of which division of the forces he was in.)

Answer: He parachuted

Brian made the requisite number of parachute jumps became a fully fledged paratrooper. It must have been terrifying for him to make a parachute drop into a zone where a full scale battle was raging.
10. Dickin Medals are awarded to animals other than dogs. Which kind of animal was awarded the most medals between 1943 and 2013?

Answer: Pigeons

Between 1943 and 2013, 64 Dickin Medals were awarded; 32 went to pigeons, 28 to dogs, 3 to horses and one to a cat. There have also been PDSA Gold Medals presented for peacetime bravery. David Long has written a book - "The Animals' VC"
Source: Author Toeknee448

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Tizzabelle before going online.
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