National Pigeon Service

The National Pigeon Service (NPS) was a volunteer civilian organisation formed in Britain in 1938 as result of representations made to the Committee of Imperial Defence and the British Government by Major W.H.Osman.^[1] During 1939-45 over 200,000 young pigeons were given to the services by the British pigeon breeders of the NPS.^[1] The birds were used by the Royal Air Force and the Army and Intelligence Services, Special Section of the Army Pigeon Service (which was formed in World War I by Lt. Col. A.H.Osman). During three and a half years of World War II, 16,554 pigeons were parachuted onto the continent.^[1] One of these was Commando a red chequer cock bird that became a recipient of the Dickin Medal.^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Levi, Wendell (1977). The Pigeon. Sumter, S.C.: Levi Publishing Co, Inc. ISBN 0-85390-013-2. 
2. ^ "PDSA Dickin Medal: 'the animals' VC', Pigeons — Roll of Honour". PDSA. http://www.pdsa.org.uk/page309_3.html. Retrieved 28 December 2008. ^{[dead link]}