Tich was a mutt (probably a terrier and dachshund mix) that was adopted by the British battalion in Egypt in World War 2. They nicknamed him “The Desert Rat” and he became their beloved mascot. His unit fought in North Africa. Rifleman Thomas Walker became his master. Tich followed the soldiers during their campaigns. He rode on the hood of a Bren gun carrier or on a stretcher carrying jeep. She would howl like a wolf. In 1944, he was smuggled onto a troop transport to Italy. During the voyage, she gave birth to a litter of puppies. In Italy, Tich went wherever Walker went. Since Walker was a medic, this meant that Tich helped with care for the wounded. This included rescue and evacuation. This often happened under fire. Walker was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery. Tich was equally brave. She was once badly wounded with a broken nose and shrapnel in her body. British newspapers wrote articles about Tich. Walker’s commanding officer recommended Tich for the Dickin Medal. He wrote that “her courage and devotion to duty were of a very real and considerable value and her courageous example helped many men to keep their heads and sense of proportion in times of extreme danger. The sight of her put heart in the men. She refused to leave her position even when bringing in the wounded under heavy fire.” She survived the war and lived with Walker for the rest of her life. She helped the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) raise money. On July 1, 1949, she was awarded the Dickin Medal in front of 8,000 Britains in Wembley Stadium for the Animal’s Rally in honor of valiant animals. The citation said: “For loyalty, courage and devotion to duty under hazardous conditions of war from 1941 to 1945, while serving with the 1st King’s Rifle Corps in North Africa and Italy.” Tich lived a happy life and died at age 19.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tich_(dog)
The Animals VC for Gallantry or Devotion by David Long
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