In a special ceremony at Kensington Town Hall, actress and PDSA Ambassador, Joanna Page, has posthumously awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal – known as the animals’ Victoria Cross – to Military Working Dog, Sasha.

The medal was instituted by veterinary charity PDSA in 1943. It is the highest award any animal can receive while serving in military conflict.

Sasha, a labrador who was four years old when killed in 2008, was returning from a routine search operation when her patrol was ambushed. She and her handler survived the first attack but a second tragically claimed both their lives.

She is the 65th PDSA Dickin Medal recipient, and the first since 2012.

Sasha was initially deployed in Afghanistan with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps attached to the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment. Their primary role was to search in advance of patrols, providing safe passage for soldiers, uncovering hidden weapons, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and bomb-making equipment.

During her time in Afghanistan Sasha made 15 confirmed operational finds. Her actions saved many soldiers and innocent civilians from death and serious injury.

DIARY DATES

Today: The Yorkshire Volunteers Association meets at 19.30hrs at Keighley Drill Hall, The Royal British Legion, Bradford Central Branch, meets at 13.00hrs at Unit 16, Listerhills Science Park.

Wednesday: The Russian Convoy Club meets at 11.30hrs at Eastborough Working Mens Club, Dewsbury, The Royal British Legion, Low Moor and Wyke Branch, meets at 20.00hrs at The Harold Club, Wyke.

Thursday: The Submariners Association meets at 20.00hrs at Tong Street Conservative Club.

IN REMEMBRANCE

THE following are being specially remembered at Bradford Cathedral this week: Donald Hedley Knight, Frank Knott, Albert Kitchen, Albert Garforth Land, Allan Larkin, Raymond Laws, Harry Ledgard, Norman Ledgard, Arthur Lee, Raymond Jackson Lee, Bernard Lane, Fred W S Lowing, Gerald Lightley, George Linley, Kenneth William Linney, Harold Lister, Thomas Lister, Harold Lockitt, Abraham Gordon Lodge, John Lofthouse, Harry Long, Derek Lumley, Roy Lillie, Clifford Craven Lumby.