Prisoner of war dog

How Navy mascot became a highly decorated life-saver

- BY SUE LEE

THE medal citation is simple but powerful: “For magnificent courage and endurance in Japanese prison camps... and for saving many lives.”

Yet it was not given to one of the brave troops who battled in the Far East during the Second World War - but to a dog.

Judy the pointer was the only animal to be officially recognised as a prisoner of war in the conflict and one of a handful to receive the Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross.

Now, before the 80th commemorations of VJ Day on August 15, her incredible story of capture, survival and courage is being brought to life for the next generation in a new book.

War Dog, by children's author Tom Palmer, charts Judy's astonishing lifesaving heroics and stands as testimony to the love and loyalty of our canine companions, even in the most difficult of circumstances. Tom, a dad-of-one and dog owner from Halifax, Yorkshire, who has written more than 60 children's books, says: “There are still stories to be uncovered about the war and Judy's is utterly fascinating.

“What she did is unbelievable. It feels almost made up but it’s totally true. There are contemporaneous accounts from former PoWs who were with her in Japan and saw her actions with their own eyes.

“I want the book to show how animals bring hope in difficult times. I also want it to try to explain conflict. War is difficult for children to grasp. But understanding its significance helps them make sense of what's happening today.”

Judy's story began in Shanghai in 1936 where she was born as part of a litter of seven in kennels used by European expats.

She was subsequently bought by the Royal Navy as a ship's mascot for HMS Gnat, part of the defence fleet in the Far East. Animals would often be adopted by warship crews to help with pest control and to boost morale.