Divisional Signallers placing pigeon into the parachute container.

Taken June 1944, just before leaving for Normandy

Considered vermin by many.  Pigeons were first used as early as 1150 AD and played an important part in both world wars. News of Wellington's victory at Waterloo first came by pigeon post.

Many of these birds were specially bred in Belgium prior to 1939.  From 1940, the British National Pigeon Service supplied birds to the RAF until the services re-established their own bird-breeding program.  Shortly after this; the pigeons were managed by the elite division MI-14, the office in charge of Pigeon operations, these pigeons were responsible for the saving of thousands of military lives.

Signalman William Streeter

Loftsman, Royal Corps of Signals

The Army's Pigeon Service was run by Loftsmen of the Royal Corps of Signals.  A trade that continued until 1946. The birds were used for many reasons but usually in an emergency such as by agents behind enemy lines or by ditched RAF aircrew. The birds were often able to avoid enemy fire and fly through the fog of war at great speed. They were specially trained for this task.

A pigeon named ' Winkie ' escaped from a bomber after coming down in the English Channel in 1943. It flew back 120 miles to its base at RAF Leuchers in Scotland in time for rescue boats to reach and save the crew of the stricken bomber. Winkie was awarded the Dickin Medal (the animal version of the Victoria Cross) the first pigeon to be awarded with the medallion.

Thousands of carrier pigeons accompanied the troops to Normandy on D-day and brought back essential details to Allied Headquarters in a capsule tied to their legs. A special loft was erected at the secret code deciphering centre at Bletchley Park.

Many of these pigeons were dropped by specially designed parachutes, manufactured in Monmouth, Scotland, to be picked up by members of the French resistance. They were soon on their way back to Britain with Important information.  At this time the Germans were training Falcons to intercept the pigeons while in flight and many were killed this way.  In all, thirty-two animal VCs were awarded to pigeons during World War Two.  Other Pigeons so awarded were, to use their code names, William of Orange (the hero of Arnhem), Mary of Exeter, Duke of Normandy and Paddy, to name but a few.

' Commando '.  Twice parachuted into France in 1942 to help the Resistance

It was during Operation Market Garden that "William of Orange", a cock pigeon, earned the Dickin Medal.

The 2nd Parachute Battalion decided to send their pigeon when they were unable to get through on their wireless from the bridge. The bird was released at 1030 hours on the 19th September from Arnhem and was back in his loft in London at 1455 hours. He had flown 260 miles of which 135 miles were over open sea in 4 hours 25 minutes at an average speed of 61 mph. Lieutenant Colonel Stephenson stated that "William of Orange" actually had to be persuaded to take off with a burst from a sten gun!

Pigeon NS 15125 - "William of Orange"

"William of Orange" was bred by Sir William Proctor Smith of Cheshire and was trained by the Army Pigeon Service of the Royal Corps of Signals. After the war Sir William bought him out of service for £185 . The medal was presented to the Royal Signals Museum in 1965 by Lady Smith.

Divisional Signalman wearing the 'X'-Type Statichute and carrying the Pigeon carrier

issued by the Divisional Signals Pigeon Officer.

Pigeons were issued to the units in the Division before an operation by the Divisional Signals Pigeon Officer at the airfield transit camps. Scale of issue varied depending on the operation but a normal issue might be 36 to Divisional HQ, 6 to Brigade HQ, 2 to Battalion HQ and 12 to Reconnaissance.

Messages were placed in colour coded containers to ensure prompt delivery.

The 2005 animated film "Valiant" was inspired by the deeds undertaken by pigeons during World War Two; recognising the fact that 31 of the 52 Dickin Medals were awarded to pigeons.

The film is set in 1944 with Valiant preparing for a dangerous mission to deliver vital messages to troops behind enemy lines.  With a shortage of wingpower in the royal fleet due to increased attacks by a brigade of vicious enemy falcons, led by the ruthless General Von Talon, the mission falls to Valiant and the unlikely heroes of "Squad F" to try and save the day. With a wing and a prayer, Valiant and his fine feathered pals fly into harm's way and prove that it's not the size of the wingspan that counts, but the size of the spirit.

Sounds a bit far fetched?

Not at all.  The Germans did indeed train falcons to intercept messages carried by pigeons.  Vital information was despatched, via pigeons, by the Resistance and intelligence operatives in France with information concerning enemy dispositions and locations.  So essential was the information carried that a special pigeon loft was constructed at Bletchley Park.