This brave black and white cat served for the Royal Navy on HMS Amethyst in 1949, and enjoyed his final days in the comfort of Hackbridge Kennels and Cattery.
Simon has the honour of being the ONLY CAT to have ever received the Dickin Medal, which says: “For Gallantry. We also serve”
This is the highest award any animal can receive whilst serving in military conflict.
The medal was established in 1943 by Maria Dickin CBE, founder of the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA).
Simon was born circa 1947 in Hong Kong and was smuggled aboard the ship.
He soon found himself popular with the crew. As well as being friendly, Simon was particularly adept at catching rats on the lower decks. Win win.
At the height of the Chinese Civil War, the frigate received a direct hit that left Simon with shrapnel wounds to his legs, and burns to his face and back.
The boat was stranded mid-river for nearly 10-weeks and food supplies were limited, but despite his injuries the cat would continue to catch rats and lift the mood of the crew.
Simon was famed for killing a vicious rat, nicknamed Mao Tse-tung. The impressed crew promoted him to ‘Able Seaman’.
Animals entering the UK at this time were required to go into quarantine to stop the spread of disease. This rule applied to Simon, who was sent to Hackbridge Kennels and Cattery.
During his stay, and despite everyone’s best efforts, Simon contracted a virus and passed away.
Such was the love for the small animal, hundred of personnel, including the entire crew of HMS Amethyst attended Simon’s funeral.
Time magazine carried an obituary.
More about the Hackbridge Kennels and Cattery
Old railings are all that remain of Battersea Dogs Home in Hackbridge
Credits
www.flashbak.com/cats-at-war-a-history-of-felines-on-the-ocean-waves-31518/
www.pdsa.org.uk/what-we-do/animal-awards-programme/pdsa-dickin-medal/simon
www.atlasantiques.co.uk/en-GB/ephemera/post-ww2-1949-simon-the-car-hms-amethyst-dickens-medal-magazine/prod_11521
Interesting, thanks