The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Keptie

the Courier & Advertiser Friday 10th November 2023 has a large photo and write up story called HEROINE PIGEON WINKIE IS HONOURED WITH A STATUE FOR SAVING WAR AIRCREW .

A statue honouring a heroic Broughty Ferry homing pigeon has been unveiled at the towns new Flood defences walkway.

WINKIE , the pigeon , who was one of the first recipients of the animal equivalent of the VC , has been commemorated wiht a Bronze Casting at the flood gates i Beach Crescent
she was awarded the Dickin Medal i December 1943 for her role in the rescue of an aircrew following a crash intothe North sea a year before.
The carrier pigeon flew more than a 100 miles home to the Ferry to raise the alarm for the four crew members of the Beaufort Bomber , which had bee returning from a mission over Norway, . The aircraft had experienced a sudden explosion which blew apart the port engine , about an hour ito the flight . Winkie , who had been travelling with the crew flew back to Broughty Ferry and alerted her owner George Ross.
Although the pigeon was not carryjng a message , the RAF were able to calculate the postiion of the downed aircraft using the time difference between the plane ditching and the arrival of the Bird .
The Men were found within 15 minutes of the rescue mission beiing launched.
Relatives of Mr Ross attended the unveiling ceremony yesterday ( 9th November 2023)

(patrick w anderson )