First dog to receive the Dickin Medal

The first dog to receive the PDSA Dickin Medal animal gallantry award was a mixed-breed called Bob, who was awarded the medal on 24 March 1944 "for constant devotion to duty with special mention of Patrol work at Green Hill [Tunisia], North Africa, while serving with the 6th Battalion Queens Own Royal West Kent Regt".

One particular act that Bob is commended for is alerting his infantry unit to the presence of enemy soldiers ahead by refusing to move forward, which meant that no soldiers were killed or captured that day.

Introduced in 1943 by the founder of the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), Maria Dickin, the Dickin Medal is an internationally recognized animal honour for conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty while serving in a military conflict - the animal equivalent of the British Victoria Cross for human valour.

The first recipients, who were each awarded their medal on 2 December 1943, were three carrier pigeons – White Vision, Winkie and Tyke – for successfully delivering messages that led to the rescue of three ditched Allied aircraft during World War II.