HEROIC war horse Warrior, dubbed the horse the Germans could not kill, will today be awarded an honorary PDSA Dickin Medal on behalf of the millions of animals that served with the armed forces during the First World War.
The Dickin Medal acknowledges outstanding acts of bravery displayed by animals serving with the armed forces and is recognised as the highest award any animal can achieve while serving in military conflict.
Warrior becomes the first ever World War I recipient of the medal, ensuring that all the animals that served during World War I are honoured in the centenary year of the start of the war.
Warrior posthumously receives his honorary medal at a special ceremony at the Imperial War Museum in London at 7pm on Tuesday. The award will be accepted by author and broadcaster Brough Scott MBE, grandson of Warrior's owner and rider, General Jack Seely.
Warrior arrived on the front line in 1914 and remained there with General Seely throughout World War I. He was subjected to machine gun attacks by air and saw action of the opening day of the Battle of the Somme.
He was buried under debris and got stuck in the mud at Passchendaele, and was twice trapped under the burning beams of his stables, but survived the war and returned home to the Isle of Wight.
The PDSA Dickin Medal was instituted by the charity's founder Maria Dickin, in 1943. She was inspired to do so by the gallantry displayed by animals on active service in World War II. To date, 65 medals have been awarded.
Steven Spielberg, director of the Oscar-nominated film War Horse, praised Warrior's award.
Spielberg said: "Warrior is an extraordinary example of the resilience, strength, and profound contribution that horses made to the Great War. Recognising him with an Honorary PDSA Dickin Medal is a fitting and poignant tribute not only to this remarkable animal, but to all animals that served."
Commenting on the award, Scott said: "It is with great pride and gratitude that I accept this Honorary PDSA Dickin Medal on behalf of Warrior and all the remarkable animals in World War I. Warrior's story - which I grew up hearing at my mothers' knee - was lost in time to the wider world. But now he rides again 100 years later, thanks to PDSA.
"My family and I are more than honoured that Warrior has been given this award on behalf of all animals that also served; we are truly humbled. I only wish Jack Seely were here today to witness Warrior receiving the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross."
Warrior: The Amazing Story of a Real War Horse is available from at racingpost.com priced £9.99.
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