WW1 Pigeons Who Earned Their Wings

Pigeons saved the lives of thousands of servicemen and influenced many key moments in WW1. One pigeon, known only as 2709, was shot while carrying an urgent message to headquarters from the front line. The bullet broke its leg and passed through its back. What should have been a 20 minute journey took more than 21 hours but the pigeon delivered the message before dying the next day.

The Dickin Medal awarded to the pigeon (BNPS)

Next weekend the Royal Pigeon Racing Association. is staging an exhibition at its annual conference in Blackpool to commemorate the role played by the creatures.
More tales of pigeon bravery here