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PDSA Gold Medal .. for animal gallantry and devotion to duty
 Billy Explosives Search Dog – City of London Police
Billy and his handler, PC Rob Brydon-Brown, were deployed to what they believed to be a train crash at Aldgate tube station. They were met by a sea of casualties and from the nature of the injuries it was clear that there had been an explosion.
Billy was tasked to secure the scene by searching the length of the underground tunnel. Despite immense heat and poor visibility, Billy remained constant to his duties and did not falter.
Billy remained on call throughout the day and attended 21 locations in response to alerts from the public. Working tirelessly and in the face of danger, his skills and determination to protect the public and the emergency services proved invaluable throughout this tragic event.
 Bamse
For saving the life of two members of the crew of Royal Norwegian Navy minesweeper, Thorodd, and for his unstinting devotion to duty as ship’s mascot during WWII.
In the winter of 1941, Lieutenant Commander Olav August Johan Nilsen was walking along the dockside in Dundee when he was set upon by a man wielding a knife. Bamse, who was accompanying the Lieutenant, immediately ran towards the assailant, knocking him into the water. Witnesses confirmed that it was Bamse’s decisive and effective action which saved Lieutenant Commander Nilsen’s life.
On an autumn morning in 1942, Bamse was on duty aboard Thorodd, again docked in Dundee. He was the only crew member to see a sailor fall overboard and, realising the danger, he tried to alert other crew members by barking loudly. When no help arrived, Bamse overcame his fear of heights and water to dive into the cold and murky sea. He swam towards the distressed sailor, who clung to Bamse’s thick coat, and brought the man safely to the dockside. Had Bamse not acted so quickly and with such calm efficiency, the sailor, who could not swim, would have drowned.
As loyal mascot of the minesweeper Thorodd Bamse displayed outstanding gallantry and devotion to the crew. His name was mentioned three times in the PDSA Allied Forces Mascot Club history and his reputation as life-saver and devoted wartime companion has secured this dog a special place in the hearts of the people of Norway and Scotland.
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