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CAPERN’S

II “Full—o’-Fire”

Tonic FoodA TONIC AND A FOOD

Building up the systemEnsuring Radiant Healthand Lasting Stamina forR~icing, Breeding and

Show Pen.

A civ little bullo- lire’ ei(i eoeui-e u per/i-I thou/I orniI nil, toii( II x nut u xliii, i/it,,t, hut ~i too boil

U/I i’/~ i,h/ fin /(1 iii) (lie ,exer,xIs- iii s(,-enqu/i iiiiil ~((( in

((‘Ii il/i (V iC ethe lit 01/ to x ileeci. I/~ iixe Ii / iie i’IiIliUlii

Sold by Corn and Seed Dealers. If your dealer isnot yet stocking it, send us his name and address,and 1/-, 2 - or 5)- for a sample packet, which will

be sent post paid.

F. CAPEflN, Lewins Mead, Bristol

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fl~iç~eoiisin tbe ~eat ‘~LUarA CompleteHistory of the Carrier—Pigeon Service during the Great

War, 1914 to 1918

BY

LT.—COL. A. H. OSMAN.

London:“The “Racing Pigeon” Publishing Co.. Ltd.,

19, Doughty Street, London, W.C.1.

~iiiiiiiiiiu11111 I huHIll II1IHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 11111 111111 11111 11111 I 11111 1111 II~

CONTENTS.CHAPTER PAGE

iNTRODUCTION .. .. .. .. -. .. .. 5I. PIGEON WAR COMMITTEE .. .. 8II. hISTORICAL .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 13

III. ThE NAVAL PIGEON SERVICE .. .. .. .. 18IV. TUE MILITARY SERVICE .. .. .. -. .. .. 23V. AIR FORCES .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 31

VI. INTELLIGENCE SERVICE .. .. .. .. .. .. 46

ILLUSTRATIONS.

LIEUT.-COL. A. 11. OSMAN .. .. .. .. Frontispiece.NOTICE—OPENLETTERSFROM PARIS .. .. .. .. page 13COLLODIUM FILM (ACTUAL SIZE) .. .. .. .. .. page 14REPRODUCTION OF ENVELOPE—TOURS .. .. .. .. page15

facing page

MAJOR IV. H. OSMAN—CAFT. E. BURDEN—LIEUT. J0IIN II. JACQUES—CAFT.C.E.L.BRYANT .. .. .. .. .. .. 8

GERMANS LOADING BIRDS ON TO AEROPLANE—MOTORMOBILE LOFT.. 10THE DUNDEE LIFE-SAVER—”WUN HI” .. .. .. .. 14

CAMOUFLAGED MOBILE LOFTS—GERMAN LOFT .. .. .. ., 18CERTIFICATE .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 22A LOFT OF RESERVES .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 24DESPATCII RIDER—BIRDS PACKED FOR CAVALRY USE—RELEASING

PIGEON FROM AEROPLANE .. .. .. .. .. .. 26SnIPPING MESSENGERS—TARING BIRDS FROM GAS PROTECTOR—

PIGEON WITR METAL MESSAGE.HOLDER .. .. .. .. 30A LIFE-SAVER .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 32A CONVOY OF REINFORCEMENTS . - .. .. . - .. .. 36

DESPATCII RIDERS LEAVING HORSE GUARDS—A FEW LOFTS WAITINGTO BE STOCKED .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 40

A STATIONARY LOFT—A MOBILE LOFT .. .. .. .. .. 42MAJOR ALEC IVALEY, M.C.—CAFT. E. E. JACRSGN—CAPT.GERALD

LOCRETT—LIEUT. F. ROMER, O.B.E. .. .. -. .. 46‘‘CRISP, V.C.”—’’PILoT’S LUCK” .. .. .. .. .. 50AGENT BEING DROPPED BY PARACRUTE.. .. .. .. .. 54

MONS. JULES WITH A BRITISH PIOEON—CAFT. IV. D. LEA RAYNER—GOOD-BYE! .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 56

INTRODUCTION.

ON the 17th August, 1928, I receiveda letter from myold chiefunderwhomI last servedon theHeadquarter’sStaff at HorseGuards,saying that “during the war hescarcelyor properlyappreciatedall that pigeonsdid forthe cause,”adding, “Now I know better.”

Neitherthe generalpublic, nor fanciersthemselves,I fear, have ever appreciatedthe scopeof the carrier-pigeon service during the great war.

It has takenme a good many yearsto decide tocompile somedetails that may assistin the removalofany doubt that time carrier-pigeonserviceon all frontswasa valuableone.

Towards the end of the war 1.50 British mobilelofts, with complete equipment, were in active serviceon the FrenchandItalian fronts. This will give somelittle ideaof the extent andusefulnessof the service.

In addition to mobile lofts, we had stationary orfixed lofts, and iii England we had a series of lofts forintelligencework at stationsalong our coastline fromNewcastle-on-Tyneto Hastings.

I receivedmuch sympathyand help in the arduouswork undertakemiin connectionwith the carrier-pigeon

5

service from Col. II. (lit Waiteville, Capialit AshnieadBartlett and General Sliuw. To theseofficers I feel itmy ditty to oiler thanks lot the considerationat alltimes shown me.

From the original pigeon service, evolved to helptrawlers not fitted with wireless coinminiication tosend reports of observations and findings to th’eAdmiralty, w’as eventuallyevolved the three importantcarrier-pigeon services of the Army, Air Force andNavy.

I shall first of all deal with the formation of thewar committee that helped to allay the suspenseandalarm that restedon all keepersof pigeonswhen warbroke out. Iii later chaptersI shall i’elate some fewof the services performedby birds and men in thedifferent spheresof action.

Throughoutthe durationof the war, fanciersloyallyhelpedin every possiblemeansin their power; and iothe credit of our sport be it said every pigeon suppliedto the British Army at the front or for home (lefeilce

was given free of cost to the country.

Quite 100,000 pigeonspassed through my handsfor active service, and not a single bird for any of theservices was ever enlisted unless certain it was soundandcapablefor thework it was likely to be calledupon

to perform. It was impossible to say when any birdmight be the last resource of a platoon, or airman

l)rought down on the ocean.

From the inception of the service I impressed upon

the authorities that to be a successthe pigeonsat their

lofts must be in the hands of experts, and every man

enlisted ha(T to pass a strict examination as to his capa-

l)ilities as a fancier and trainer.

8

Mcii may be taught to shoot,lire guii S 01’ d jill, but,as I)arwin says in the ‘‘Origin of Species,’’ ‘‘It takesyearsto becomea successfulpigeon fancier.”

It wasby the enlistmentandco-operationof success-ful pigeon fanciers that the usefulnessof the carrier-pigeon servicewas attained,and to officers and menwho assistedin this good work I take this opportunityof tenderingmimy sincere thanks.

I must also put oii 1ecOI’(l the (lebt owing to the“News of the World,” whose columns were of thegreatestservice during the war, both for the purposeof obtaining’ men for enlistment aII(l the collection ofbirds for the service,also for the publicity fi’oni time totime we were able to give of brave (leeds performedby our birds on active serviceon the few occasionsthatthe PressCensor permitted.

CHAPTER I

PIGEON WATt COMMITTEE.

TMMEIn,\’I’EJx after war was declared a ban wasphaceil on the removal of pigeons or their transit bymail. Railways were givell notice that they must not

carry pigeons for flight or from owner to owner.

Loyal fancierswho felt the call to arms andwishedto enlist were thus prevented from disposing of theirpigeons.

Following this stoppageof transit, police visits were

made to fanciers’ lofts and all confined prisoner

pigeons condemned, the owner was compelledto cliptheir wings to prevent their flight, or give them theirfreedom. Many valuablebirds were lost through thisregulation.

Time War 0111cc then had the good senseto consultme 011 the sul)~ectof regulations and other matters

associated with the sport, and I at once got in touchwith Mr. Percy Illingworth and Mr. Basil Thompson,of the CI.T)., who had charge of secret service regula-

tions and was responsiblefor the edict stopping thetransit of pigeons by rail.

Having fully discussedthe matter with Mr. Illing-worth and Mr. Basil Thompson, I was authorisedtodraw lip and issue a special label permitting the transitof pigeons whensold or being’ sent to shows,and it wason my suggestion that the N.H.U. should, if theydesired, takeover this businessin its entirety.

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Soon after this it was decided to form a VoluntaryPigeon War Committee consisting of Messrs. HandelBooth, Godfrey Isaacs, representingwireless, thePresident of the N.H.U., its Secretary, Mr. J. T.Hincks, Mr. A. W. Skinner and myself.

This Committee,in the first place,drew up a usefulillustrated brochure divided in chapters and illus-trated with photographs of ‘‘The Carrier,” “TheDragoon,’’ ‘‘Time Show Ilonier’’ and ‘‘Time ilacingPigeon.’’

Time object in giving theseillustrations was to helpthe police to (hscrnninatebetweenthe differentvarietiesof pigeons that could and could not be used asmessengercarriers.

Shortly after this , underthe Defenceof the RealmRegulations, Regulation 21 was incorporated asfollows :—

No personshall keep or have in his possessionor carry or lii)erate or bring iiito the United King-dom any carrier or horning pigeons,unless he hasobtained from time chief officer of police of thedistrict a permit for the purpose,and if any person

without lawful authority contravenes the provisionsof this regulation he shaltbe guilty of an offence

against these regulations, and the chief officer of

police or any officer of customsand excise may, ifheconsidersit necessaryor expedient to do so, cause

any pigeons kept or brought into time United King-(lom in contravention of this regulation to belibera-ted, detainedor destroyed, or, in the caseof pigeons

brought into the United Kingdom, to be imme-diately returned ill the ship iii which they came.

Any person found in possession of or found

carryimig or liberating any carrier pigeons shall, if

9

so requiredby nov navalor mili t ai’y officer or by allysailor or soldin’ engagedon seiii r~pat roi or othersinilam’ duty, ni by any ouli i’er of police, produce hispermit, and if iie fails to do so, may he ai’i’ested.

Following is a eop~’of the permit referred to iii theregulations

T)EFENCE OF TIlE EEALM ThEGULATTONS.lIeguhation21.

Nmunber ,T181

FEThMIT TO KEEP CARRIETI 011 HOMINGPIGEONS.

1(1 All whom it may concern.

By Virtue of the Powers vested iii me muider theprovisions of Ihegulatioti 21 of the Defence of theRealm II egnlations, I hereby grail t pel’misSion to thePerson named below to he in possessionof Carrier orhoming’ Pigeons,not exceedingone hundredand fiftyin number, to be kept (iii open loft at ‘‘Apsleyhouse,’’ CambridgePark, Leytonstone.

NAME OF TTOLDER.

A. II. Osnman,Christian Name, Alfred

RegisteredPostalAddress, as above.

S. Allan Sykes,(Superintendent

Tinekupy Police Station.A. Osman,

SignatureoF Holder.DatQ, 5th Jima, 1915.

10

“51,

5

—~

The holder of this Permit is not authorisedtherebyto liberate ally carrier or hionungpigeon away ironi itsown loft. Iii order to carry any carrier or homingpigeomm, it is necessaryto obtain time prescribedofficiallabel from the Police. Time holder shouldcarefully notetime provisions of the Eem~ulation,which is prmntecl onthe otherside.

This permit may be revoke(l at aiiy time.

Whilst exhibitions of pigeons were permitted to becarried out, for the lime being all training and racingof pigeons was stopped.

Lord Kitcheimer was then head of the Il/ar Office.He was a stern (lisciphnarian, amid I learnedat a later(late lie had the strongest objection to pigeons onaccountof the danger of their use for iiiter-communi—cation by spies, who infested our country at th~ out-break of war.

Lord Kitehener was right in time strong lines takenat theseearly stages,hut lie did not foreseetime greatpossibility that pigeons might offer, nor was lieapparentlyaware of time preparationstime Gentmanshadmade long before the war to have an efficient mobilepigeon service.

As an instance of this a German doctor, shortlybefore the war, paid visits to various lofts in England,making full enquiriesarid taking copiousnotesrelativeto the breeding of pigeons, amid also making fullenquiries as to whether our WTar Office was in touchwith fanciers for the purposeof their use.

Moreover, a full-blooded German started a loftadjacentto 19, Doughty Street,London, to which hetrained pigeons. These pigeons were all destroyedduring the early stagesof time war, and the “gentle-

11

man,’’ who representedhimself to be a ‘‘Dane,’’ hasnot beenseen or heard of since his arrest. So I wasnot worried by such a neighbourvery long after the warcommenced.

Police permits numhei’iug 500,000 were issuedtiuring the war to pigeoll keepers,North Staffordshireand LancashireapplyIng’ tot’ the greatestnumber.

‘When the difficulty of obtaining’ corn and food forpigeonsarose,with time help of the ControllerI was ableto obtain supplies for oil l)l’eeders of racing pigeonswho undertookto biced birds for tIme forces.

12

CHAPTER IITIISTOILICAL.

ON the 16th November,1870, the following notice was

posted at the GeneralPost Office, London:’—

OPEN LETTEIL~for FAthILTransmigsion of by carrier Pige~rns.

THE Diroctor’Geswral of the French Post Office has informed thisDepartment that a special Despatch, by means of Carrier Pigeons, ofcorrespondence addressed to Paris has been o~tablished st Tours, andthat such Despatch may ho made use of for brief letters, or noteS,originating in the United Kingdom, and forwarded by post to Tours

Persons desirous of availing themselves of this mode of tranrmissioamast observe the following conditions:—

Every letter must be posted open, that is, without roy cover orenvelope, and without any s~ai,and it must he regi~tered

No letter must Consist of mote than twenty words, including timaddress and the signature of the sender. but the name of theaddressee, the place of his abode, nod the name of thesender—although composed of more than one word—wili eachbe counted as one word only

No figures must be used, the number of the boone of the addinsr,riomust be given in words

Combined words joined together by hyphens or apostrophes willbe counted according to the number of words makiug upthe combined word

The letters must be writtefi entirely in French, in clear. into1’,iç~iblolanguage Thoy must relate solely to private affairs, and nopolitical allusion or reference to the War will be permitted.

The charge for those letters is five-pence f~revery word, and thischarge must be prepaid, in addition to the pontago of sixponcofor a single registered letter addressed to i’r~r.icg

The Director-General of the French Post Office, in notifying thisarrangenient, has stated that his office cannot guarantee the safe deliveryof this corrospondence, and will not bela any way rorpcnziblo for it.

I~yCommandof the Pes1master-~enen~1.(iENKIAL POST OPPICIiI.

16th November, 1870.

In.~.d 5.~U.~,r,.~ ~ b1

W, I’, 5.,.,,., 1’nj~.~Sq.~,,OIJ 8.I~y, I,rn~le~,S.C

13

This was the outcome of arrangementsto despatchmessagesto the besiegedcitizens of Paris during thesiegeof Paris, 1870-1871.

U. U. Dagron, who was Ihe photographer on theballoon “Niepcè,” that left )3aris on November 12th,1870,subsequentlypublished a thrilling accountof hisadventures.

Two balloons left Paris at the same time—”LeNiepcè” andthe “Daguerre.” The lattbrwasshotdownin sight of the passengerson the “Niepcb,” whichescapedby jettisoning part of its baggageandrisingto a greateraltitude. Subsequently,landinginside theenemylines, the party,by thehelp of Frenchpeasants,obtained disguisesand escapedafter the loss of thesecond balloon.

After many adventures~enroute through theenemylines, they arrived at Tours with their pigeons onNovember 21st.

Owing to the largenumber of despatchesreceived,the messageswere photographed very small in orderflint asmany aspossiblecould be carried by the samepigeon. The photographs were on little thin films ofcollodium and each film would hold 2,500 messages.

The smallpictureof one of theseoriginal collodiumpigeondespatchesis in my possessionand is reproducedof exact size. This coliodium pigeon despatch wassent into Path from Tours during the siege. It con-tains 200 letters of 2,182 words; its weight was agram,andthepostagepaid on this messagewas 1,000

francs, equal to £40. ICoilodium Film—Actual size.

14

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In a lecture on the subjectby Capt. G. G. Aston, ofthe loyal Marine Artillery, which I attended,he gavethe following fableof figures of birds tossedduring theParis siege aiid ihose that home(1 safely with themessages:—

Mouth. Tossed. Arrived.Septemberaiui October 105 22November ... 17December . • ... 49 12January ~.. •. 43 3February ... ... 22 3

Total ... 302 57

From thesefigures it will be seenthat the percen-tage was a very small one, little more than 25 percent., but it must be borne in mind that it was anemergency service; untrained birds were suddenlycalledupon to do the work during winter months.

Theresult was very difierentduring the recentwar,when 99 per cent. of the messagessent were safelydelivered,winter or summer,rain or shine,showingtheadvantageof using selectedbirds of pedigree, trainedand in the hands of experts.

In consequenceof the servicesremleredby pigeonsin the mannermentioned,Europeannationsgave somelittle attentionto thedevelopmentof thepigeon service.

In the BoerWar they renderedsomeuseful work bycarrying despatchesarid plans out of Ladysmith, andas the war proceededit was decided to make samelittle use of them by erecting small lofts. After theconclusion of the Boer War some birds were shippedto Nigeria for the purpose of establishing inter-communicationbetweentha South and North. By this

10

means,if the 1)laCkS causedtrouble at one station,pigeon messagescould l)e sent to the other and reliefsent flint could attack the revolutionistsin the rear.

The a(lve1it and iJflI)Fovenieiit of wireless has beenthe meansof doing away with the use of pigeons formany services, but for espionage,scout serviceworkand many important (luties pigeons will never bereplace(l.

A pigeon silently flies through the air; there is nowave that indicates its use, iiothiing that indicates itspoint of departureor destination.

17

CHAPTER III

THE NAVAL PIGEON SERVICE.

WnEN the War Comnmitittee referred to in ChapterI wasformed I expressedthe opinion flint it might be calledupon to function in coimectionwith the use of pigeonsas messengersat no distant (late. Hostilities had notbeen in progress many months before this viewmateriahised,and the Admiralty decide(l that pigeonsmight render useful services.

Oneof the earlieststepstaken by the enemywas tolay mines in the North Seato en(langerour merchantshipping as well as naval work. It l)ecamenecessaryto organwe a serviceof trawlers for mine sweeping,forwhiclì service our fishing fleet of trawlers bravelyresponded. Many of thesetrawlers, when they put tosea, had no meansof reporting progressor comnmuimi~cating with their base.

I felt I could not accept the position of lieutenantin the ThN.V.R. offered to organisethis service, butMr. Homer, having at that time just retired from pro-fessiomial work and having relations in the Navy, wasoffered and accepted the post, with my son asassistant.

My sonhadpreviously, on several occasions, offered

himself for enlistment for active service,but on account

18

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of (lefeefive eyesightand va.ricocele,was rejected. Hewas thereforeglad of some opportunityof servicein thewar.

To he of service the ownersof lofts to be employedwere chosen from those living as near the coast as

possible. The service was placed under the (lirectiollof Col. Dixon, a most eflicient officer and organiser,with JAeut. homeras expert pigeon officer.

having obtameda complete list of suitable lofts,letters were addressedto the ownersasking their co-operationandthe use of them birds. In no singleeasewas a refusal met with.

Although the servicewas started in October,1914,when thebirds werebadly in moult, I at onceput everybird in my loft in training, as my home loft was only30 miles from the coast.

I had 60 birds at that time. Over 30 had flown 400and 500 miles, as my loft had just got to the top of itsform in 1914, and although these birds were trained

(lay after day throughoutthe winter of 1914 and fromthen on throughout the war, my losses were compara—tivelv nil.

The distancebirds had to fly for time Naval pigeonservice was from 70 to 150 miles. By giving themconstant liberty in all weathers, they covered thesedistanceswinter and summer with regularity. As anexample, on three successiveweeks I had one pigeonhome from the middle of the North Sea bringingdispatches and she was one of those subsequentlyawarded a certificate of merit for her work in thisservice.

Some of thesemessageswere of a thrilling nature,but the receiverswereriot allowed to divulge their

19

contents. In some cases they were in code, amid ofcourse it was then impossibleto decipherthem.

I remeudier one of the despatchiesmy birds carriedfrom the North Seadescribedair attackmadeupon themine—sweepingfleet by a Zeppelin, the first time a~eppehiu ever left Germany to attack us.

The skipperof the trawler describedwhat hadtakenplace and flint tire mine sweepers remained uninjured

andwereal)le to continuetheir work after t.heZeppelinhad tried to destroythem.

Evidently at this stagethe aim of the Zeppelin clewwas not very accurateat objectson the sea.

When it is rememberedthe rough passage thesebirds had, sometimessparselyfed, amid that they wereoften liandhed by brawny sailormen who had beengiven but few lessons in fastening messages onthe birds before use, it is surprising how consistentlyand well they homed.

A credit to their breeduigand to the owners who,like myself, did not hesitateto offer their very bestbirds for the service.

On one occasion I lost three of my most valuablebirds am

1never heard of them again. I felt sure, if

given their liberty at any distanceor almost in anyweather, thesebirds would have homed. It was notuntil after the conclusion of the war flint I heardmygood pigeon 1100 and the other two lost with him musthave been sunk by a torpedo by the enemy, as thetrawler, with all handson boardas well as the pigeons,after putting to sea,was never heardof again.

Some of the skippers of these trawlers got veryfond of the pigeons and treated them as friends, buttherewas sometimesa comic side to the messagessent.

20

One skipper sent a message: “All well; havingbeef pudding for dinner.’’

As ownershadto take nil messagesreceived to thenearestpost office, this messagewould pass throughto the Lords of the Admiralty and then back to thebaseto which this particular trawler’ was attached.

For the duration of the war the skipperwas knownas ‘‘Beef Puddings.’’

One of the most fortunate and meritorious Per-

formancesin the naval service was that of the redchequercock know-n as ‘‘Crisp, V.C.’’

\Vheii the skipper of the trawler ‘‘Nelson” wasattacked by a ‘‘IT’’ boat, lie defied the Germans amidfought his ship to the last. Lying mortally wounded

on the deck, he scribbleda hasty messagewhich wassentoff by this pigeon. This washis last act before hedied. The pigeon carried it to a vesselin the vicinityand help was sent to the gallant trawler crew. Itarrived in time to savethe rest of them from (Tenth.Skipper Crisp was awardedthe posthumous V.0.

The naval pigeon servicewas continued throughoutthe duration of the war, but in some caseswas gradu-ally supersededas the trawlers became fitted withwireless.

Fanciers in recent years since the war have nodoubt much to thank this branchof tire servicefor, asit introducedracing pigeonsto a classof men who areirow often ableto renderthem first aid.if driven to sea.Many birds in distress take refuge for the night onthe friendly mast or deck of a trawler and beingbrought to land on completion of the cruisein themorning, they are liberatedwith a messageaccounting’for their absence.

These good offices should invariably be imnie-diately acknowledged.

21

They are frequently the actof men who learnedtohave a kindly feeling for their winged messengersduring the war, but who, nevertheless,deservethebest thanks of fanc!iers for savingtheir favouritesfroma watery grave.

Some 600 to 000 owners were awardedcertificatesfor themeritoriousperfonnancesof the birds they lentfor naval purposes. This list was published in the“Racing Pigeon,” May 31st, 1010, ring numbersofthe birds and namesof ownersbeing setout, but theparticularmeritoriousperformancesarenotgiven. Anillustration of the certificate appears facingthis page.

22

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of ~ey~ou~e, c~~bric1geP~r1? vI1lsT821~, I.E.

and lent to this Serviceduring he’~i~havebeenreportedl~rmeritoriouswork in connectiontherewith

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CI[APTE1I IV

‘rum: MILI’i’AIiY sERVICE.

Ix the early stagesof tire w’ar therewas no co-ordina—tioii l)etweell the Nirvv and Army. Each Commandtook suchstepsin oi’gaiIiSiiig as was deemedexpedient,andno doubt for a time therewas overlapping.

Hardly hind we startedto establish the Naval pigeonservice referred to in Chapter III, than I receivedanurgentmessagefrom theW’ar Office to meetCol. Maud.rflris officer discussedwith Inc tire situationwith regardto pigeons,and statedthat a Home Defence pigeonservice was expeditiouslyneededfor the whole of theEasterncoastof England,consultingme as to thebestmeansof its estal)hishluent.

I consideredtire best meansof meeting the requestwas to form a volunteerservice without requisitioninglofts, and that by this meansfanciers capableof con-ditioning their birds and keepingthem fit if calledU~O1i

iii emergencywould be at tire disposaiof the Command.If necessary,should the enemyeffect a landing, theseownerscould at oncebe put in uniform.

Col. Maud thought the schemean excellent oneandbegged me to undertaketire work of its immediateorganisation,with the rank of Captain.

23

)rtt side the Iii gher Coiiiiiia nd few of t lie public areaware of the fear’ that was cutcr1a med of a sel’iotl s

iiivasioii umal I ire steps taken to meet such an010L’IgO Ii C\’.

I pointed out to Colonel Maud t hat mv paper,The Boeing Pigeoir,’‘ in ight be the means of ohl aol—

i tig vomit tec’i’s atid birds for tire Service, it ii d the o tily(‘Oliditiolls upon winch I could undertake the workwas that of a hionorar i’ank~—witIioutpay—amid I was

apporited to organiseand i’ommaiid the first Carrier—Pigeon Service in the British Army on tirese terms.Fronr tile clay I accepteda conimissioir until the cmii—

pletion of tire war I w-orked on tirese termirs.

~\UiiIsl in the midst of selecting sites for homedefence(icpnts aird arraligit g (letails, a call carrie froiriI’m’ancc to enlist (hO inca for’ active service in tireCarrier—PigeonService. It was imirpossihie to dealwithhis toni let’ as w’ehl as proceed witir time om’ganisation

we hind in hand. These(hO menw’ere thereforeenlistedat Leeds by the N.H.IT., but at a later (late, whenthe ironic defence service was established arid iii

working order, all other irreir and Carrier-PigeonService requireirrents foi’ tire Army weredealt with bytIre Carrier-Pigeon Service at headquarters, HorseGuardsundermy command.

At tire outbreakof war tire British Array had riotpaul any serious considerationto the use of pigeons,evidently relying on tire field telegraph signals andw’ireless. Tire enemy, however, much more adequately

l)r’e.pame(i for war’ than the allied forces, had evidentlygiven tins subject close considerationas, during theearliest days of tire war, botir they and the Freneirbrought into use a well-organisedpigeon service withmnOh)ile lofts fully equippedwith pigeons.

24

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I

In tire defenceof Verdumr pigeonshoover! their’ greatvalue, arid wei’o eventually time ouiy means of corn—nrunicaI iotr for’ this front when all oilier’ irteans hadfailed, amid someof tire mnessagessent were of a thm’ml—hug nurture during February arid April, 1910.Following are translations of tire actual messagescarried from Verdun by pigeons

28th February. 14.40. 2 pigeons.Colonel I GO at (place) Verdun.‘‘A st rorrg enemrrv’attack has outfina Iced CIra IiIph)n

and is now directed on the Ti’esnn’s Montg’nioirt

Eparges. (Telephmoiric) cut by a strong Lonrilorrdmrmcn±.We are resisting. ~i4.’’

29th February. 8.40.‘‘Driving tire day yesterdayand night tire bombard—

irmenit of tire position continues. No in fairtr’v attack inI sector’. A desertergave irinirseif up last night at BoisCarve according to inmni the Germanshave withdrawntroops to takefhrenr to tho right hamik.’’

(itir March. 1T.41j.‘‘Enemy attackcontinues at Bethincourt at 19.45.

Barrageobtained lately has riot been able to impedeprogress.

‘‘About a battalion has beeir able to coircemitrateintire woods between B’ethimrcourt amrd Rafficourt.Artillery iras fired omr tirese woods. All coirmiuni—catiomrs brokenwith 1 Brigade.

‘‘(Corheaux \Voods) Bethiireom’t always held by abattalion of tire 220 N. All dispositiomrs taken foi’irolding’ on Mom’tlromine.

‘‘Very violent boirrbai’dmemrt of our litres. Sendrelief to Souville um’g’eritiy.’’

April 16. 6.25 n.m.‘‘Tire German counter-attackhas been repulsedby

tire Companiesoccupyingtire Hautville Trench and he2~

has entrenched a little in front of his old front.Artillery barrage is necessaryon A.U.C. 9x. The 1stBattalion of tire 3Gth is iii position a little N. of theT)rirrmrt Tremmein. Seriouslosses,at least 50 per’ cent. oftire effectives. lleinrforcenrenris urgent.’’

These and othrer despatcheswere cari’ied throughshell fire arid barragewhilst tire defenceof Verdunheld out. It is said the defence of Verdurr worm thewar; if so, pigeons,by their courage,helpedto win it.

Major Alec Waiey, who was appointedO.C. Carrier-Pigeon Serviceon tire French front, gavesomeinterest-ing’ details recently, iii arr article in tire ‘‘MorningPost,’’ of tire use of pigeons iii tire battle of timeSomnre and tire iinportanrt messagescarriedby themn inthis great battle. Followiirg extracts are from thatarticle

“It was on Septenrlrer 25th that the GuardsDivisionwereto attackLes Bwufs and Goudecourt. Tire pigeonlofts whicir serve(1 this Division were two molnile loftssited at Minden Post, a few innmrdred yards behind

Carnoy, anr(l thus about teir miles as the pigeomr fliesfrom Les Bmirfs.

‘‘From early in tire morning the pigeoir despatchriders had beeir carrying the birds up in large stockbasketsto tire different Battalion Headquartersand tothe GuardsAdvancedDivisiomr B.C. at BernafayWood.

rtECoiti)ING ‘mm: Am)v,rNcE.

‘‘It was a typical September~iay,arid good for’ fly—ing, but tire artillery preparationwas deafening,andtestedthe birds to tire limit. Messagesbegamrto comeiii from 2 p.m., arid tire regularity with which the birdshomedand tire advance could be followed was quiteremarkable.

26

.ç\ ~

“The messages given below are worth studying.Visualise the conditions under which they were sent,and then picture the two lofts with a few officers andmen awaiting the birds. One sees them arriving fromafar, over the howitzer batteries before Carnoy; a fewcircling flights around the lofts, always lower andlower, then with a flutter on to the loft, and then intothe trapping box.

“The message-carrier is at once taken off the bird’sleg, its little flimsy message form extracted, and thecontext ‘phoned through instantly to Corps and Did-sion R.Q.’s. And then there is a feed for the bird.

In every case ltD. stands for the hour at which theDivision received the message, and some were throughin remarkable time.

TEXT UP itisssOze.

“From: Give to Gain. 25/9/10.“Messages now received from all Companies in

Brown Line. Just about to advance to Blue at properhoar. Artillery fire a bit short. Shovels wanted. Raveseen Colonel Campbell, and shall proceed myself tovillage. Resistance feeble.

“Place: Green Line. Time: 2.46 p.m.“Sender’s Signature: B. McCabnont, Lt.-Colonel.

11.1).: 3.20 p.m.“From: Gallant to Gain. 25/9/10.“Rave only one officer left. Could Newton and

Transport Officer be sent up to-night Am nowadvancing through the village of les Bonds, supportedby 2nd Battalion Coldstreams.

“Sender’s Signature: Cit. Tinte: 2.45 p.m.ltD.: 3.10 p.m.

“Prom: D. 85 to Z. 8. 25/9/10.

57

‘‘Message from Welsh Guards reports enemy areturning their left flank, which is iiot in touch with th~21st1)ivisioii. A Battalion urgently wantedto fill thegal).

‘‘Place 3. Time: 3.37 p.m.‘‘Sender’s Signature : 11. S. Lambert, Capt.

1l.D.: 3.59 p.m.‘‘From O.C., L.F. Coy. 211d Bn. Scots Guards to

Great.‘‘The 2nd Battu. SeotsGuards have ieached and

consolidated their objective. 1st Brigade, on ourright, havepushedthrough Les Banifs, andarediggingthemselvesin about 50 yards E. side of village. The21st Division appears to be held up on the left flank ofthe 4th Grenadiei’s, who are on the left of tins Bat—alion, and are very badly iii the air. For this reason,

the left half Battalion First Grenadierswas unable to

pushon to the 3rd objective, and havenow dug them-selvesin 100 yardsbehind the 2nd objective. Am try-ing to establish(letensive flank on left 4tl~Grenadiers.All the Officers of the 4th Grenadiers appearto becasualties.

“Place: N. 33, d.7.3. Time: 3.50 p.m.“Sender’sSignature: V. A. CochraneBaillie, Lieut.

IILD.: 4.25 p.m.“From: P. 85 to Z. 8. 25/9/16.“Messagereceivedfrom front line B. 87, 3.15p.m.,

reportsP. 83 on 3rd objective. P. 87, D. 85 on sunkenroad, N. 34 A. and D. Troops appearto be echelonedtowards the left. Message from left Company, IJ. 85,2.15 p.m., reported 1)eing at N. 33. B. 22 with theirleft not in touch with the 21st Division, who are heldup on the first GermanLine. A boiiibiiig fight is nowiii progress on left of P. 89, aboutN. 32, P.7.4. Situa-hon at that point dangerous.

28

“Sender’sSignature:IL S. Lambert, Capt. Time:5.15 p.m.

‘‘On this day, on the Sommefront alone, over 400operation mesagescame hack from tanks and theattackingforces.

“Not a badrecordfor the 1)igeolls,and a good markto the stout lads who had to take them lip with themoverbarbedwire, trenches,andshell craters,and sooilinto the Unknown.”

In the Battle of the Sominethe Frenchaloneused5,000pigeons,andonly 2 percent, of the birds releasedwith messagesfailed to retmii, notwithstanding shellfire and adverseweatherconditionson many occasions.But the loss of 2 per cent, of the pigeons did not meanthe failure to deliver any important messagescarrie(l,as thesewere alwayssent in duplicateon importantoccasions.

From the tanks pigeolls provedof great service tocommunicatewith thebase;in fact, wereoften theonlymeans of communication. Sometimeswhen liberatedfrom tanks the birds seeme(l stupified, iio doubtdue to

fumes of the oil, andI strongly recommendthe use ofsmall closedbasketsfor usein the tanks,similar to ourshow baskets.

We had a loft of instruction for the Tank Corpsat%Vool, and every officer and man who was to serve inthe Tank Corpshad to thoroughlymasterthe handlingof pigeons.

At the conclusion of the war there were 22,000pigeons, 150 mobile lofts and, at least, 400 C.P.S.pigeoneersin the C.P.S.

Good reports came from G.H.Q., Salonika, whereSergeantF. Shawwassentout to establishthe service.

The Egyptian service was establishedby SergeantII. 0. Rnott.

29

In fact, there was not a single unit of the C. P.S.Army Pigeon Servicethat proved a failure.

After the war a special pamphlet was preparedgiving thering numbersand(letaihsof birds that earnedspecialmerit. Copieswere sent to all owners. Thelofts in which tile 1)11(15 were i)red were quite unknownto O.C. Pigeons, France. The King’s loft had amiuinlicr of the birds mentionedin despatches.GeneralShaw handedme for inclusion in my note book thefollowing acknowledgementof the circular :—

‘~orkCottage,

Snndri ii ghani,Norfolk.

‘‘ 28th January,1918.Dear Geiieral,

I have sitbiiutted to the King the circularenclosedin your letter of January 2(tll to \Vigraiii,about the pigeons.

His Majesty desires tile to thank you for sendingthis, which hasinterestedhint verymmli, and the Kingis glad to know flint some of his lords have been

iii (‘lit ioiied in despatches.

Believe iiie,Yours sincerely,

“CIWMEH.Majoi-Geiieral Sir F. 1’. Shaw,Tc.C.B.”

30

I“ l~*

~____

¼

CHAPTER V

Alit FOI1CES.

r1~1115

branch of the Carrier-Pigeon Service was only

establishedas a separateentity iii 1918, andwas organ-

ised by Major W. 11. Osman, assisted by Capt. B.Burden. 1>art of time fhieti existing ~aval pigeoliservice was taken over and some I)all ot the ArmyCarrier-Pigeon Service. There were lofts at allimportantaerodromesat the conclusionof the war, andpilots leai’iied to feela Coi1fidt~11eeiii the colnpanionsiul)ol a pigeonin its basketin the aerodronie.

Tim April, 1919, the following letter was issued bycommand of the Air Council, to be forwarded to allthosebreederswho had presentedl)irds free of cost forthis service.

‘‘Air Ministry,‘‘ Strand,

‘‘ London, \V.C.2.‘‘April, 1919.

‘‘T[OMTNC; PlGEoxs—MEalToluot~s SulivicE

IN B OYAL Aii~FOIICE.

Sir,I am commandedby the Air Council to forward for

your inforiiiation a list of the ring nunii~ersoF pigeonswhich have renderedmeritorious service to tile RoyalAir Force, with brief details of such I)erformances.

The Council desire to thank you and all otherbreedersof homingpigeonswho have so generously riiid

patriotically contributed birds to time Pigeon Service,for the valuable assistancewhich you have renderedtherebyto His Majesty’s Forces.

31

In a. large nuiniber of caseshives and maclimeshave been saved, mu ad much Va

1onide i niorniat.ion hasbeenbrought in hrough the agency of these birds.The list on1y includesbirds which have performedcon-spicuously good service,mit ninny other pigeons havealso (lone consistentlygood work.

‘‘ I am, Sir,

Xour obedientServant,~ A ROBINSON

Tile following is a copy of the list of meritoriousservicesiuieimtiouied in this let ter, and as this list givesdetails (if somebrilliant performancesand lives saved,it will, T think, lie sufficient to show the good work oftile Air ForcePigeon Serviceafter its establishmentasa separateentity. I am unable to emnliody the workperformneul by pigeons from this branch of the serviceprior to 1918,hut thus I know, flint a loft establishedatilarwich under my command for the use of the Army,and airmen from waterplalies,was the sole means ofsaving the life of more than one skilled pilot.

In connection with the }Imurwich loft., which coui—tamed about 160 birds constantly in training and atwork, it is interesting to note that orderswerereceivedto remove headquartersfrom Ilarwich to Fehixstowe,about 16 miles to the north of Ilarwich. I chosethetenniscourt in front of the Felix TIotel for the new siteand men’s quarters. In less than ten days after thecompleteremoval of birds and loft all the birds homedfrom flO or 70 miles at searegularly and camestraightto Fehixstowewithout crossingIlarwich, andI believeI am right iii sayingthat it was very shortly after thisremoval one of the Air Force officers was savedby ii

pigeon messagewhen in desperatestraits.

32

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ClIAPTE1~VI

iNTELLIGENCE SERVICE.

AlTER being attachedto 1LE. Signals in the earlystages of the organisation of the Carrier-PigeonService, I was eventually attached to the IntelligenceCorps, and I feel that it was in tins work that ourpigeonsaddedto their value iii the silent and efficientmessengerwork they performed.

Here is one of the usesto which pigeons wereput:~

A small balloon was constructedwith a metal bandworked by clockwork. To this band was attached asmallbasket containing a single pigeon with a messageholder on its leg, and to each basket was attached asmall parachute. The balloons were liberated infavourable conditions of wind and at intervals auto-matically releasedfrom the specialring a single basketwith a bird. These were droppedinto Belgian andFrenchterritory when occupiedby the Germans,and inFrench and Flemish a requestwas made to the finderto supply intelligence information that was needed,atthe sametime giving the finder hopefulnessand cheer

as to the ultimate successof the allies’ cause andpromising reward for the information supplied.

Much valuable information was obtained in thismanner.

46

H~( ~

So alarmeddid the Germansbecomeat its successthat they tookevery possiblemeansto detectthosewhohad the courageto sendmessages.

The following notice was placarded throughoutBelgium in Frenchand Flemish :—

‘‘The enemy is in the habit of dropping fromaeroplanes little basketscontaininghoming~)igeonS,by meansof which they desire to obtain informa-tion concerningthis side of the line.

‘‘The pigeons are placed in small basketsandmarked ‘Pleaseopen.’

“Any person who finds one of these basketsmust, without tampering with it, report to thenearest military authorities. All persons are for-bidden to open basketsor any letters attachedtothem, or to removethem from the placewhere theyare found.

“Inhabitants disobeying theseorders are liableto the severest punishment. If they attempt toescapethey run the risk of being shot instantly.

“Any town in which one of these pigeonsissecreted is liable to a fine of 10,000 to 100,000francs.”In addition to the issue of this proclamation,the

Germansset a trap for those who might find pigeonsand be temptedto usethem.

They removedthe pigeon droppedby us and sub-stituted a bird that would home to their own lofts, sothat if anyonewas foolish enoughto attach his nameand addressto the messagethe pigeon would deliver itto them andthe personbe arrestedand shot.

For this reasonwe warned personsin our instruc-tions never to use anynamesfor identity andalwaystoliberatethe birds at night so that they would home toour lofts in the morning.

47

This method succeededfor a time, but later we hadto decideupon other methods. It was then decidedthat our airmen should carry a brave Belgian willingto descendwith a basketof pigeonsby parachutedarkat night when a favourableposition for his descentwasreached. Men were found brave enoughto undertakethis risk for their King and country—naturallyBelgians who knew where to hide in safety.

For tins service I designeda specialbasketof theshapeof a fisherman’s creel that strappedon the back.I carefully wrapped the pigeons in paper and packedthem in straw.

~fii0 schemewas a success,exceptthat at the outset

great (]iih]clIltv was experiencedin getting the man tojump fioni the plane when the time came.

The basketwason the man’shackand the parachutestrappedround his armpits.

A specialaeroplanewasdesignediii order that whenthe position was reachedthe seatupon which the mansat gaveway automaticallywhenthepilot let go a leverand time man was let out to gracefully parachutetoearth.

In almost all casesthis schemeprovedmostsuccess-ful, but on one occasionthe aeroplanecrashed,killingone of the men. The other tossed all the pigeons,andnewswasreceivedof the disaster.

It was not merelynecessaryto obtain messagesthatcould be sentby flimsies, butmuch larger plans or evenpassports were needed. The carriage of larger objectsthan the ordinary messagepresentedsome difficulty,when I was approachedwith this object, but I decidedthat the tail of the bird shouldbe usedas the carrier.

I threaded a piece of fine wire through the outsidetail featherson each side, leaving two loose ones to

48

come underneath. One piece of wire was threadedthrough time strongesttail feathersnear the root of thetail and anotherpiece about 2 inches lower down thetail in time samenianner.

The packageto he sent was wired round with twothin pieces of wire the samedistanceapart and thenattached to the loose wires under the tail. A wholesheetof the ‘‘Daily Mail’’ can easily be sent a reason-able distancein this manner.

Our agentsover the enemylineswould flash a smgnalat night. Relays of pigeons would he dropped. rfhlemflessago or pareel would 1)0 at once at t a(lied to thepigeon, which would be imniediately liberated andhomeat its loft iii the morning.

The Germansboastedof their intelligence service,lint our pigeoll service was as gooil as any during the

war.Knowiii g the ext cut. to which we used pigeolls für

intelligence work is it s%11’pnsiug that it was deemednecessarythat every precaution should he taken toprevent the promiscuoushhcration of pigeons in thiscountry during the war.

On one occasion,on hoarding a foreign steamer

from a neutral country off ~ewcast1e, a dozen racingpigeonswere found. But the skipper had them killedpromptly on our men discovering them, and said healways carried live pigeons to kill for food. Mr. BasilThompson’smen were a little slow in not getting thesepigeons olive, when we might haveusedthem to sendtime enemysome‘‘useful’’ news.

The Germanmessageholdersusedfor their service

wore very Thi civ manufactured. We often capturedpigeons,but few of thcii messageholders.

~~liomione was obtuiiied, I got Carfer, of Birmiii g—ham,to imitate them soperfectly that it was impossible

49

to distinguish the original, and a trick was often playedon Fritz by sending him a few bogus messageswithhis own pigeonswe captured.

At the outbreakof war the Belgians had no doubtthe finest pigeon servicein the world, with head-quarters in Antwerp, but before the capture ofAntwerp, on October8th, 1914, ConimnandantDenuit,chief of time Belgian service, had the lofts and birdsall destroyed, thus preventing the Germans using aservice that hadtaken years to becomeefficient.

The Intelligence Pigeon Service designedfor homeuse in case of invasion was a magnificentone. Dayafter day the birds were kept ready, winter and sum-mner, b~tthank God this branchof time servicewasnevercalled upon to prove its value. Had it been,the birdswould have given the enemy cause to respect itsefficiency.

Much of the good work that pigeons did for timeIntelligence Service must of necessityremain untold,l)Ut for espionage time pigeon will ever be a gravedanger,as well as greatvalue to those who make thebestuseof them, as was the casein the GreatWar.

60

• •J~r ,•“• ‘

ChAPTER VII

CONCLUSION.

IT was in August, 1917, that I first met officers fromthe AmericanArmy attachedto pigeons. I found themintelligent and keeii to take advantageof informationderivedfrom our past experience. The first American

~:Pigeon Service consistedof two officers and 12 menselected from prominent American pigeon men. At

- the end of the Armistice the American Army pigeon- service consisted of 9 officers, 324 soldiers, 6,000

C pigeons and öÜ mobile lofts.So impressed was the Signal Service of the

AmericamiArmy with the useto which pigeonscould beput, that upon the conclusionof the Armistice a servicewasestablishedandis still maintainedat good strengthin America.

I am reminded of my cordial association withAmerican officers and men by the following letter

“ War Department,

Office of the Chief Signal Officer,

“Washington.

“ September12th, 1919.

My dear ColonelOsman,It has been brought to my attention that on

severaloccasionsduring the war and since the signing

51

of the Armistice you have been of the greatestassistanceto thePigeon Section of the SignalCorps inthe furtheranceof its interests. Due to your efforts

every courtesy and opportunity for instruction were

accorded the American pigeoneers who visited theBritish armies for observationpurposes.

The voluntary gift of six hundredyoung pigeons

from time British fanciers to the American Army wasmost opportuneand significant of the splendid feelingthat existed betweenthe two armies. Furthermore,the selectionof the threehundredpigeonspurchasedbyyou recently for the stocking of United Statesgovern-meatlofts musthavemadegreatdemandson your timeand personalinfluence.

On behalfof the SignalCorps, I desireto expressfullest acknowledgment of the value of your services,and appreciationof the fine spirit of co-operationandgoodwill that prompted them.

Very truly yours,

~C GEORGE 0. SQUIER,

“ Major-General,“ Chief Signal Officer of the Army.

Lieutenant-ColonelA. H. Osman,

~9, Doughty Street,

“London, W.C.1,

“England.”

The following letter from GeneralFowler to GeneralShawwill give sonic idea of the smooth working of timeService. GeneralShaw gaveme the letter and photosto put amongstmy collection.

52

GeneralHeadquarters,

France.

‘‘ 1st April, 1917.

My dear Shaw,

Time sending of time pigeons from England toFrance has worked very smoothly and successfully.We havegot a very good lot of birds, and there havebeenhardly anycasualties,which shows the greatcarethat must have beentaken in England in selectingandconsigning theni.

I enclosetwo photos of the horse-drawnpigeonlofts collected at .Boulogne to receive time pigeons.Osnian uunghit like to sec the photos. I (10 not wanttheni hack.

‘‘ As eachconsignment of pigeons arrived they wereput in the lofts and drawn off to their positions on thefront, where I hope they will very soon be in work.

‘‘A good many havegone up to time areaswhere wehave advanced,and it was very important to get timeearly young birds so as to makethis possible.

“As to future requirements,the balancestill due ofthe first 5,000we askedfor hadbetter come about the2.1st. April, by which time we shall know if any loftshave failed and require re-stocking.

“We have asked officially for 1,000 to be avail-ablein May and 1,000in Juno, andI expect that thesewill be used to establish lofts in new areasor to makegood casualtiesin old lofts.

~rery many thanks for all the care that has been

taken to get good birds.Yours,

“JOHN FOWLER.”

The Italians had a very large force of carrierpigeons. A service that grew as the war progressed,and the great value of this branch of the signalservice was recognised. Before the great retreat of1917 the Italians had upwardsof 30,000 birds in use.Later, this number was increased to 50,000, in additionto which civilian lofts in Italy were requisitioned, andat least 2,000 birds from these lofts were on activeservice. When the lt.alian Army was on the Piave inJune, 1918,1,500Italians weresurroundedand in greatdanger from the Austrian attack. Two pigeons werethen liberated at night with a messagefor help andgiving details of the enemypositions. As the resultof these two messages,reinforcementswere at. oncesent and the Italian beseiged illell rescued, 3,500Austrians beiuug taken prisoners.

In Ireland an elliciemit and useful service wasorganised,Capt. E. E. ,Jacksonbeing placed in charge.All lorries travelling any distancebetween differentdepots carried pigeons and, thanks to thus systeum,whenan officer who hadbeencapturedescapedhe wasable to reacha lorry, havepigeonssent to say he wason board, and just when an attempt was made torecapturehim, a mobile force of motor-cyclistsarrivedand put paid to the attackers. Captain Rayner suc-ceededCaptain Jacksonin charge of the Irish serviceuntil order was restoredin that country.

Part of my duty was to inspectall lofts and lectureto Cadet and other Signal Schools, giving demon-strationswith pigeons. I had an appointmentto visitIreland for this purpose. That appointmentwould havetakenme to Ireland, andI had arrangedwith CaptainLockett to go over and returnwith somefriends thefollowing week in the S.S. Leinster.

54

An urgent call from France necessitateda week’s

postpouiemeiIt of the appoint audit, otherwise I shouldnot havebeenable to write these(letails.

We crossed the following week arid bad water-planesan(l American destroyersto convoy us. Thosewho made seatrips during the war will haverecollec-tions of cork jackets in which they were wrapped,andother discomforts.

I once mnade a trip on the S.S. Zeelandia,a passen-ger boat plying between London and 1lotterdamthroughout the war. On her next voyage she wastorpedoed.

On arriving at ilarwich, I wasput in a pilot cutterand then transferred to a trawler going int.o timeharbour.

\Vheu asked to take ale on hoard, the skipper

suggested they should chuck me overboardand let meswim. But when on board and hue learnt I was O.C.pigeons time greeting was a nmuch more friendly one.

Many pigeonsearned fame during the war. TheFrenchawardeddiplomasin the caseof birds deservingthe Croix tie Guerre or Croix ililitaire. WhenCommandant Raynal was surrounded at Vaux, at t jamespigeons were his only means of couuuiuiunication withVerdun. His last bird but one flew t liroughu a lerril)leenemyfire, amid wasawardedthe Croix de Guerre. hisfinal pigeon, badly mangled, dropped (lead as hedeliveredhis message. lie was awardedthe Legiond’}lonneur, anda diphonma framedin the colours of theorder hangsat headquarters.

No. 2709 was awardedtime V.C. in our own pigeonservice, and its mangled remainsare to be seen pre-servedin theUnited ServicesMuseum. This bird was

66

with our forces fighting at Menin Road,October,1917.She was despatched with a message from the fiont lineto DivisionaL ]Ieaclquarters nine ntiles away early inthe afternoon. She was shot clown by the enemy soonafter liberation, laid out in the rain all night, but thenext morning sufficiently recovered to struggle backwith her message, and staggered on the floor of the loftand died before the officer could remove thb message-holder from her leg.

“Cher Anti” was the favourite of the AmericanArmy, and ollicers and men of the American O.P.S.are never tired of relating the brave exploits of thislittle blue chequer. Its photo and that of many othergood birds that worked well for the American O.P.S.was sent me. “Clier Anti” delivered no less (ban twelveimportant messages on different oevntnons—never fail—ing. Very often birds were home one day from thetrenches with messages and bank again the next dayso soon as an opportunity occurred to get them backunder cover of barrage. “Cher AiM’s” last flight wasa desperate one on the Argonne, but she bravely getthrough and delivered her message, although one legwas hanging from the thigh and bleeding profusely.The message warn an important one from a Platoon indifficulties. Reinforcements saved the situation, endthe men of the Platoon have cause to bless the bravedeed of “Cher Ami.”

A German loft, with birds and complete equipment,captured at Folies, France, on August 9th, 1918,together with 30 pigeons, was sent to England andexhibited at the Zoological Gardens. The birds kept tothe loft end remained there some time. In my opinionthe quality of the German pigeons was not equal tothose used by our forces.

58

F

‘4

44

Wlieiicver field lelegrapli or telepliolle systemswerein working order pigeons were riot called upon forservice. It wasonly wlieii all other meansof coimnulu-cation failed they were use(i.

For distancesup to fifty or sixty miles pigeonswerepracticafly iiifallible. More thaii 95 per cent. of themessagessent by pigeoll post were safely delivered.

IJuruig sevenmonths of the year 1916 one militaryloft iii Francereceivedno less thaii twenty-four pigeonmessages from aeroplaneswhich had beencapturedbythe enemyor met with disaster. Thesemessagest0ldthe fate of l)etween forty andfifty airmenarid their lastobservationsover the enemy lines.

The pigeon service at G.}I.Q., Horse Guards,at thestart consistedof one officer anda corporal clerk; at theconclusionof the armisticetherewere four o~cers,sixstationary lofts ronthuinig an averageof 150 birds ineach,and six coastal depots from each of winch 300birds were liberated to fly to the M’etropohis almostdaily. Corporal Macliitrye, who was with me at thestart of the services, remained throughout and provedmost efficient in chargeof the clerical department,which becamean extensiveone.

The chief depot at the commencement for time collec-tion of the birds before (lespatch to the front was 19,Doughty Street, and as time service increased it wasnecessaryto requisitionNo. 18 as well as 17.

Heinforcenieimfsof menandsome thousandsof birdswere retainedhero.

The birds neversaw outside their lofts as squeakers,andwith the wire cageson top of the mobile lofts wereeasily schooledand taught their duties.

The Germansdisliked the pigeon serviceand madeseveralattemptsto bomb Doughty Street,on one occa-

57

siori dropping a bomb in the adjacentgarden, doi~gdamageto the depot, but without the loss of a singleman or bird.

Major Alec Waley, M.C., had command of theCarrier-PigeouService in France.

Captain E. E. Jackson,Captain Gerald Lockett, C.Bryant and Lieut. Jacques served as oflicers in theorganisationof the serviceand instruction of officersand men for the tanks and other forces.

From the commencementof the war until May,1916, all pigeonracingwassuspended,but on May 1st,1916, a conference took place at the Home Office atwhich Lieut.-Col. P. Maud (G.H.Q., Home Forces),Major J. Sealy Clarke (War Office), Assistant Pay-master W. I-I. Osman (Admiralty), Messrs. A. L.Dixon, C. P. Carew Robinson (ilome Oflice), Mr. A.C. Goodchild (Scottish Office) and Mr. H. A. Tripptook part. At this conferenceI madeout sucha strongcase that training and restricted racing be allowed,that authorit;y for liberations was subsequentlygranted. Had this authority beenrefusedfor the dura-tion of the war it would, I fear, have been the deathblow to our sport instead of its subsequentvigorousrenewal and growth. I have given a l)rief chrono-

logical account of the Service, simply detailing factssufficient, I think, to show that the Carrier-PigeonService renderedgood and efficient work during theGreatWar.

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