Quite the coo... he was the King of Rome, and possibly the world’s most famous pigeon
Anton Rippon tells the story of the Derbybred racing bird who twice survived being shot and was later immortalised in song, a book, radio play and now stands proudly in the city museum.
HE started his journey as just a number – NU1907DY168. He ended it as a king. Bred in the back streets of Derby, he would have a song, a book, and a radio play written about him.
Today, he sits proudly in Derby Museum, looking as if he could take off again at any moment.
He is, of course, the King of Rome, the most famous racing pigeon in history and possibly the world’s most famous pigeon.
It was in June 1913 that 39-yearold pigeon fancier Charles Hudson, a Derby Corporation lamplighter, sent his Belgian blue cock to Italy, to be released at the start of the Rome Cup endurance race.
Hudson, who supplemented his income with work as a basketmaker and trader in pots from his house in Brook Street in Derby’s West End, knew the perils that his bird faced.
Number NU1907DY168 had been shot twice during previous races, once when coming home from Rennes, and again when returning from Bordeaux.
In the Rennes race he was badly injured, a bullet ripping through his side.
“That he should survive to fly the greatest distance on record was little short of a miracle,” an August 1913 edition of The Racing Pigeon commented on his 1,001-mile flight from Rome to Derby.
There was a moment, however, when Charles Hudson must have wondered whether he would see his prized bird again.
When the race began, there was bad weather over the Alps. The Derby Evening Telegraph reported: “These good birds were faced with a stupendous task even with favourable weather, but, unfortunately, the contrary was the case … persistent bad weather prevailed day after day.”
Hundreds of pigeons were lost, but on Tuesday, July 29, 1913, – a full 31 days after he was released, NU1907DY168 returned to his Brook Street loft.
Derby songwriter Dave Sudbury had Hudson crying out: “Come on down, your majesty. I knew you’d make it home to me!”
And the King of Rome was crowned.
Following the famous victory, pigeon fancier and champion pigeon alike were feted throughout the sport.
In October 1913, at the annual dinner of the Manchester Flying Club, Hudson was presented with the Rome Cup, a handsome silver trophy, as well as a diploma of honour from the Belgians, and a cheque for £12, which was his share of what remained of the prize money once expenses had been deducted.
Dinner guests were told that “England now holds the proud position of having flown authentically the longest distance in the whole pigeon flying world … there is no hokey-pokey about it”.
Hudson said that he had been asked “time and again to put a price on the bird”, but that it was not for sale. As long as he lived, the King of Rome, the Rome Cup, and he would never be parted.
The King of Rome was on show at the dinner – and so was the Prince of Rome. Of 1,653 pigeons released from Belgium – then the capital of pigeon racing – only 62 managed to make it to their home lofts.
Of 106 English birds released, only one appeared to have made it.
But on August 18, a blue chequer arrived home at Tudhoe Colliery in Durham. He had covered 1,093 miles and 1,186 yards in 51 days,
winning £8 for his owners and now hailed as the Prince of Rome.
Both birds were now on the celebrity circuit, the King of Rome making guest appearances at homing society shows all around England.
At the time of the race Charles Hudson was president and treasurer of Derby Town Flying Club.
By 1927 he had spread his wings
and was president of the Burton and District Federation and of the Derbyshire Championship and Derby Premier clubs.
Racing pigeons can apparently live for up to 20 years. It is not certain for how long the King of Rome survived, but in December 1946 his mounted remains were presented to Derby Museum.
Charles Hudson died in 1958, aged 84.