Retired RAF Police dog Hertz awarded Dickin Medal - in pictures

The National
  • Retired RAF Police sniffer dog, Hertz, poses for a photo with his PDSA Dickin Medal for valour, the highest award any animal can receive whilst serving in military conflict. PA
    Retired RAF Police sniffer dog, Hertz, poses for a photo with his PDSA Dickin Medal for valour, the highest award any animal can receive whilst serving in military conflict. PA
  • Former handler and trainer RAF Police Warrant Officer Jonathan Tanner with Hertz. Hertz received the award after for finding more than 100 items of contraband, all of which posed a significant threat to the lives of servicemen, women and civilians in Afghanistan. PA
    Former handler and trainer RAF Police Warrant Officer Jonathan Tanner with Hertz. Hertz received the award after for finding more than 100 items of contraband, all of which posed a significant threat to the lives of servicemen, women and civilians in Afghanistan. PA
  • The PDSA Dickin Medal was introduced by Maria Dickin in 1943. Dicken is seen here presenting homing pigeon Winkie with the Dicken Medal in 1944. Winkie delivered a message that contributed to the rescue of a ditched aircrew in 1942.
    The PDSA Dickin Medal was introduced by Maria Dickin in 1943. Dicken is seen here presenting homing pigeon Winkie with the Dicken Medal in 1944. Winkie delivered a message that contributed to the rescue of a ditched aircrew in 1942.
  • Actress Nancy Price giving a speech to the assembled crowd, with a pigeon who received the Dickin Medal, at the dedication of a memorial to the birds who died in active service during the war, London, 1946. Getty Images
    Actress Nancy Price giving a speech to the assembled crowd, with a pigeon who received the Dickin Medal, at the dedication of a memorial to the birds who died in active service during the war, London, 1946. Getty Images
  • A pigeon named Mercury is awarded the Dickin Medal in 1946. Mercury completed a 480 mile flight from Northern Denmark. Getty Images
    A pigeon named Mercury is awarded the Dickin Medal in 1946. Mercury completed a 480 mile flight from Northern Denmark. Getty Images
  • Judy the English Pointer receives a Dickin Medal in 1946. Formerly a ship's dog on board HMS Gnat and HMS Grasshopper, Judy helped save the lives of servicemen after the Grasshopper was sunk. She then spent three and a half years in Japanese prisoner-of-war camps, narrowly escaping death many times. Getty Images
    Judy the English Pointer receives a Dickin Medal in 1946. Formerly a ship's dog on board HMS Gnat and HMS Grasshopper, Judy helped save the lives of servicemen after the Grasshopper was sunk. She then spent three and a half years in Japanese prisoner-of-war camps, narrowly escaping death many times. Getty Images
  • A Newfoundland named Gander was another Dickin Medal winner. Gander received the medal for his gallant exploits at the battle of Lye Mun, Hong Kong in 1941. The brave Newfoundland was killed by a grenade which it had chased, picked up and carried back towards the Japanese, saving the lives of dozens of Canadian soldiers. Getty Images
    A Newfoundland named Gander was another Dickin Medal winner. Gander received the medal for his gallant exploits at the battle of Lye Mun, Hong Kong in 1941. The brave Newfoundland was killed by a grenade which it had chased, picked up and carried back towards the Japanese, saving the lives of dozens of Canadian soldiers. Getty Images
  • Simon, the ships cat of HMS Amethyst and winner of the Dickin Medal in 1949, received the award for catching rats and protecting food supplies during the time the ship was at war. Getty Images
    Simon, the ships cat of HMS Amethyst and winner of the Dickin Medal in 1949, received the award for catching rats and protecting food supplies during the time the ship was at war. Getty Images
  • Buster helped save the lives of troops and civilians in southern Iraq when he located a hidden cache of arms, explosives and bomb-making equipment. He was awarded the medal in 2003. Getty Images
    Buster helped save the lives of troops and civilians in southern Iraq when he located a hidden cache of arms, explosives and bomb-making equipment. He was awarded the medal in 2003. Getty Images
  • Mali, a Belgian Malinois, wearing his Dickin Medal in 2017. Mali took part in an 8 hour assault on Taliban positions in Afghanistan, despite being injured by grenade explosions three times. Getty Images
    Mali, a Belgian Malinois, wearing his Dickin Medal in 2017. Mali took part in an 8 hour assault on Taliban positions in Afghanistan, despite being injured by grenade explosions three times. Getty Images
  • A French special forces dog called Leuk was awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal in 2020, after he saved lives by cornering insurgents during an anti-terrorist operation in Mali. AFP
    A French special forces dog called Leuk was awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal in 2020, after he saved lives by cornering insurgents during an anti-terrorist operation in Mali. AFP