I simply ran out of time for this yesterday so albeit a day late...
On this day (yesterday) in 1959 the US army sold the last of its homing pigeons.
Birds were used extensively during World War I. One homing pigeon, Cher Ami, was awarded the French Croix de guerre for his heroic service in delivering 12 important messages, despite having been very badly injured.
During World War II, the Irish Paddy, the American G.I. Joe and the English Mary of Exeter all received the Dickin Medal. They were among 32 pigeons to receive this award, for their gallantry and bravery in saving human lives with their actions.
The most famous pigeon that I'm aware of is Yankee doodle, who was always being chased by Dick dastardly and muttley.
Funnily enough it wasn't called catch the pigeon despite my aging brain thinking it was, the spin off from wacky races was called 'Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines'. Even the earworm theme song isn't catch the pigeon it's stop the pigeon!!
Anyway this week's sketch (doodle)
