This year my blog posts for the April 2024 A to Z Challenge will be about the recipients of the Dickin Medal, which you can read about here. They are in alphabetical, not chronological order, within the different letters.
U
Upstart
Image source
Upstart was a chestnut gelding Police horse stabled near Hyde Park in London, until enemy gunfire directed at an adjacent anti-aircraft (‘ack-ack’) station damaged the stables there. He was then transferred to East London.
A few weeks later, he was patrolling Bethnal Green with his rider, D.I. J. Morley, when a bomb exploded 75 feet in front of him. Despite glass and shrapnel and other debris covering them both, Upstart did not bolt but remained calm and continued to help his rider in dealing with crowds and controlling traffic.
Together with Olga and Regal, Upstart was awarded the Dickin Medal in April, 1947. These three Police horses were chosen principally to represent and honour the entirety of the mounted police force.
All three horses lie buried at the Metropolitan Police Mounted Training Establishment at Thames Ditton in Surrey. Their medals are displayed there in the museum. Upstart’s citation pointed out that ‘he was completely unperturbed and remained quietly on duty with his rider controlling traffic, etc. until the incident had been dealt with.’
He remained calm while a bomb went off close by! Most horses would at least shuffle their feel a little. He earned his medal.
ReplyDelete"feet"
ReplyDeleteHe certainly did.
DeleteRemaining quietly on duty is amazing. If I saw or heard a bomb exploding, I would be out of there in a heartbeat.
ReplyDeleteThe training is careful and measured so that they become accustomed to loud noises, explosions and so on, but even so I don't think I'd be calm.
DeleteWhat magnificent animals. Remaining calm in such a situation is incredible.
ReplyDeleteI shudder when I see horses in crowd control - they are so vulnerable.
DeleteAmazing commitment on the part of Upstart.
ReplyDeleteIt was.
DeleteWow! Fancy a horse staying calm in the face of an explosion so close. Upstart was for sure a worthy medal winner.
ReplyDeleteHe certainly was.
DeleteUpstart is a wonderful name for a horse! He and his "colleagues" are absolutely incredible! xxx
ReplyDeleteI wonder who chooses the names.
DeleteThey must really trust their riders. Such beautiful, well trained animals.
ReplyDeleteThe training is exemplary. Without trust, there can be no progress.
ReplyDeleteI am not keen on horses but Upstart sounds impressive and belies how flighty horses can be.
ReplyDeleteI like horses but they are awfully big!
DeleteTo remain quietly on duty is amazing, they must be so well trained.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Their behaviour is a tribute to their trainers and riders.
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