Dickin Medal Recipient. A Collie cross, Ricky served as a mine detecting dog trained to detect non-metallic German land mines. The British were the first to use dogs even with limited success in this capacity after the Germans introduced a non-metallic mine which baffled the electronic mine detectors. Dogs were taught to sniff out and indicate a mine by sitting down several paces in front of it to alert their handlers. Ricky was working in Holland in this capacity, and his efforts garnered him a recommendation for the Dickin Medal, commonly known as the animal's VC: "This dog was engaged in clearing the verges of the canal bank at Nederdeent, Holland. He found all the mines but during the operation one of them exploded. Ricky was wounded in the head but remained calm and kept at work. Had he become excited he would have endangered the rest of the section working nearby." Ricky received his medal on March 29, 1947, lauded for his bravery and devotion to duty, along with fellow Dickin Medal winner, the Paradog Brian. The presentation took place at the opening of an exhibition of animal war hero portraits in London, Air Chief Marshal Sir Frederick Bowhill presiding. After attaching the medals to the dogs' collars, stood to attention and saluted each animal in turn.
Dickin Medal Recipient. A Collie cross, Ricky served as a mine detecting dog trained to detect non-metallic German land mines. The British were the first to use dogs even with limited success in this capacity after the Germans introduced a non-metallic mine which baffled the electronic mine detectors. Dogs were taught to sniff out and indicate a mine by sitting down several paces in front of it to alert their handlers. Ricky was working in Holland in this capacity, and his efforts garnered him a recommendation for the Dickin Medal, commonly known as the animal's VC: "This dog was engaged in clearing the verges of the canal bank at Nederdeent, Holland. He found all the mines but during the operation one of them exploded. Ricky was wounded in the head but remained calm and kept at work. Had he become excited he would have endangered the rest of the section working nearby." Ricky received his medal on March 29, 1947, lauded for his bravery and devotion to duty, along with fellow Dickin Medal winner, the Paradog Brian. The presentation took place at the opening of an exhibition of animal war hero portraits in London, Air Chief Marshal Sir Frederick Bowhill presiding. After attaching the medals to the dogs' collars, stood to attention and saluted each animal in turn.
Inscription
In Memory of
Ricky DM
Served as Mine Detecting Dog
in Holland
Awarded PDSA Dickin Medal
March 1947
For devotion to duty in continuing
To clear mines though wounded
Died 20 July 1953
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