The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection

The P.D.S.A. Dickin Medal for Gallantry, awarded to ‘Judy’ a boxer dog, for thwarting a terrorist attack on British officers, and for protecting her wounded brother, at risk to her own life, in Palestine, 5 August 1946

P.D.S.A. Dickin Medal for Gallantry, reverse inscribed, ‘Judy, Army H.Q. Palestine 5-8-46 AFMC.1195 No. 44’, pierced with ring suspension, with a short length of ribbon; together with a brass cross, 48 x 48mm., obverse inscribed, ‘For Canine Valour 5.8.46’, reverse inscribed, ‘Judy’, ring suspension, good very fine and better (2) £8000-12000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection.

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Ex Christies 19 July 1983.

P.D.S.A. citation for the award of the Dickin Medal to ‘Punch’ and ‘Judy’: ‘Boxer Dog and Bitch. Date of Awards November 1946. “These dogs saved the lives of two British officers in Israel by attacking an armed terrorist who was stealing upon them unawares and thus warning them of the danger. Punch sustained 4 bullet wounds and Judy a long graze down her back.”’

On the evening of 5 August 1946, Lieutenant-Colonel A. H. K. Campbell and Lieutenant-Colonel H. G. G. Niven were relaxing at home in a Jerusalem suburb, with their boxer dogs ‘Punch’ and ‘Judy’. The dogs suddenly became aware of intruders within the compound. Racing into the darkness and barking furiously, they were met with a burst of sub-machine gun fire from one or possibly two terrorists within the barb-wire protected perimeter. Apparently the intruders were stealthily creeping towards the house with the intent to kill the officers. The barking and gunfire, alerted the officers, thwarted the attack and thus saved their lives. A search of the compound revealed that ‘Punch’ had been seriously wounded, having been hit by four bullets; and ‘Judy’, with a long graze down her back, was found guarding her brother. Nine expended rounds were later found in the garden. Both dogs made a full recovery from their wounds. For their great gallantry in protecting their masters, both dogs were awarded the P.D.S.A. Dickin Medal. The actual awards being made at the Royal Tournament, Olympia, on 14 June 1947. The owner of ‘Judy’ was Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh G. G. Niven, who served in Palestine as Adjutant General.

Of the 63 Dickin Medals awarded, 32 were awarded to pigeons, 27 to dogs; 3 to horses and 1 to a cat.

With original P.D.S.A. bestowal document, dated December 1946, with the citation, ‘.... for beating off a terrorist attack on British Officers at risk to her own life. While serving with Army H.Q. Palestine, on August 5th 1946’. With two copied photographs of Judy and other copied research.