Military ‘coo’ to celebrate VE Day
ROBIN E SPARKES
TWO Hyndburn organisations are collaborating on a project to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe or ‘VE’ day - to mark the end of the Second World War on May 8, 1945.
The Church & Oswaldtwistle Royal British Legion branch and Oswaldtwistle Homing Society are partnering together for a special project to celebrate VE day, with three racing pigeons to be named in honour of the occasion, “Albion”,
“Britannia” and “Remembrance”.
The birds belong to Oswaldtwistle Homing Society members Ted, Brian and Lee Dawson who happily agreed to take part and support the project. Three birds were chosen so as to represent the three branches of the Armed Forces; the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force which were so pivotal to victory during the war.
The exploits of racing or ‘homing’ pigeons during both world wars saved hundreds of thousands of lives and helped ensure our victory in 1945.
The strategic edge that homing pigeons provided was such that both Britain and Nazi Germany - and occupied Europe- requisitioned effectively all pigeon lofts during wartime.
Despite the advent of radio communications, radio messages could easily be intercepted and decoded whereas the humble homer- carrying a little message inside a canister on its leg- could be released from virtually anywhere and return to its ‘loft’ within a few hours, and through any weather.
Even British submarines carried a contingent of pigeons whilst at sea so that their coordinates could be relayed back home during accidents or combat situations.
Both Allied and Axis powers formulated units of trained Peregrine Falcons so as to intercept homing pigeons en-route which made their journeys even more dangerous.
Around 250,000 pigeons were used by the UK alone during the war, with 32 individuals receiving the prestigious Dickin Medal for animal bravery, with thousands being killed in action.
Albion, Britannia and Remembrance will be put through their paces during the young racing pigeon season between July and September, racing from distances between 60 and 190 miles.
Though the pigeons will only be around 5-6 months old, they are more than capable of covering the distances involved as they mature incredibly quickly.
The British Legion will be regularly updated with news of the birds’ exploits and their welfare will remain of paramount importance.
Oswaldtwistle Homing Society has been making great strides in recent years to change the image and fortunes of the sport in the local area, with club member and local businessman Peter Hargreaves leading the way.
Once seen as a ‘working man’s’ sport, pigeon racing has proliferated among people from all walks of life and is fighting to challenge its national decline.
Despite its inevitable post-industrial decline especially in 21st century Lancashire, the sport has diversified its appeal and is fast becoming a vehicle to spread educational and historical lessons.
Oswaldtwistle Homing Society currently has three different schools on its roster - St Andrew’s Primary School, Longshaw Junior School and recent addition St Nicholas Primary School.
Lessons such as Mathematics, Geography and History all have practical applications for students, and even Darwinist scientific principles with regards to selective breeding; arguably one of the biggest lessons to be had is that of responsibility and the general welfare of animals.
Oswaldtwistle Homing Society is a warm and friendly club and is always welcoming new members.
For more information on the sport please contact the Press Secretary on 07769 992641.
The work of the Royal British Legion has been invaluable in spreading awareness of the sacrifices of British servicemen in all conflicts, as well as providing financial aid and amazing support to veterans and their families. Great Britain suffered around 382,600 casualties during the Second World War in the fight against Germany, Japan and Italy, and many of those fortunate to return home after the war did so with deep physical and psychological trauma.
The Royal British Legion doesn’t just fundraise for Remembrance Day in November and the Poppy
Appeal is active 365 days of the year.
The Church and Oswaldtwistle RBL is always welcoming new membership and supporters, and will be working with other local branches over the May Bank Holiday weekend on May 8-10, 2020 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the victory in Europe with a series of community events to be held in Accrington town square.
For more information, contact branch manager Danny Cassidy on 01254 381211 or 07940 292805, or email rblchurchandoswaldtwistle@yahoo. com.
The branch can also be found on Facebook.