MARY THE PIGEON'S DICKIN MEDAL

Antiques Roadshow guests couldn't quite believe it when their grandad's war medal, awarded to his beloved pigeon Mary, was valued. The episode, which airs on Sunday, August 25, saw the experts set up shop at Pitzhanger Manor And Gallery in Ealing.

Expert Mark Smith encountered a couple eager to present their Dickin Medal. Recognising its significance, he told them: "So when you came to my table this morning, you opened the bag and told me what was inside and I said 'No stop, we're going to try and film this one because it is so fantastic", he revealed.

"And here we are. The Dickin medal from the People's Dispensary For Sick Animals (PDSA)."

He then asked about the recipient of the medal, a pigeon named Mary. One guest explained: "Well originally she was a racing pigeon along with the other pigeons from grandad's loft. She was put into the pigeon service, airlifted and dropped behind enemy lines in France."

Smith responded: "These pigeons were dropped into France for the French Resistance to send back messages to the UK about secret things they'd found out to stop the Germans. That, therefore, makes her the James Bond of the pigeon world.".

"The Dickin Medal. It's essentially the Victoria Cross for animals", Smith remarked. "It's the highest honour an animal can receive for bravery."

"It reads 'For gallantry, we also serve.' Magnificent. This is one brave pigeon, isn't it?". The guest responded: "Oh yeah bless her, she certainly was."

He added: "That really takes some doing, because the messages being delivered are genuinely life and death messages and they've only got one shot at this. And they placed all their trust in Mary the pigeon."

The couple were left utterly speechless when they discovered the true value of their item on the show. They admitted they had never considered its worth before, and when the expert casually mentioned it was worth a cool £30,000, their jaws dropped.

Their eyes nearly popped out of their heads as they burst into laughter, exchanging looks of sheer disbelief, while exclaiming, "Oh my goodness!". One of the pair remarked in awe: "She's worth every penny", prompting Smith to respond: "I totally agree."

Wrapping up the unforgettable moment, Smith said with heartfelt gratitude: "I think this has been one of the best things I've ever filmed, because that little pigeon, so brave, thank you so much."

To read the complete article, see:
Antiques Roadshow guests gobsmacked at staggering price for ‘brave' Mary the pigeon medal (https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/antiques-roadshow-dickin-medal-bbc-33534242)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
MARIA DICKIN AND THE DICKIN MEDAL (https://www.coinbooks.org/v21/esylum_v21n31a39.html) DUKE OF NORMANDY PIGEON DICKIN MEDAL (https://www.coinbooks.org/v23/esylum_v23n16a29.html) DICKIN MEDAL WINNER PADDY THE PIGEON (https://www.coinbooks.org/v20/esylum_v20n31a34.html) D-DAY DICKIN MEDAL HERO PADDY THE PIGEON (https://www.coinbooks.org/v22/esylum_v22n23a35.html)

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