MEMOIRS OF A WARTIME TEENAGER

I have written about my personal wartime experience and my involvement with the National Pigeon Service and the exploits of the services that used our birds in the course of the second world war. Very little has ever been published giving the details of the gallant efforts and the life saving that the humble pigeon and their handlers proved so valuable in the defeat of the Nazi Regime.Much of this work was 'CLASSIFIED'and never made available to the general publc and it is for this reason I chose to make some effort to enlighten 'Joe Public' and give some publicity to the 'Animals at War Memorial' to be erected in Park Lane London during the next twelve months.
My book under the above title, includes many other events not, just pigeons, that I remember during the six years of hostilities.Many other people will remember the special events that took place all those years ago, and I have tried to recall and give many of the main ones that in some way was special to me.Silver Surfers will no doubt have memories to compare with the contents of my book when it is published and I hope it will make enjoyable reading and perhaps revive memories for many of us 'Wrinklies' and also the younger generation and the true 'BRITS'that care about our past history.Just to add a little bit of interest to what I have written above regarding the 'Animals War Memorial' it is hoped that as H.M The King had birds on service alongside the members of the National Pigeon Service during the war,a member of the Royal Family will be present at the unveiling of this memorial sometime during 2004 when it is installed in Park Lane in London.Keep looking in for my contributions. Happy reading. FREDDY.

Just to add a little more interest to my cotribution to my 'MEMOIRS' it would seem to most members of the general public that a figure of some 200,000 birds is an over exaggeration of the number of our pigeons that were used in operations against the enemy forces in all the theatres of war from Sept 1939-August 1945.However this is the estimated total of the combined service records of the National Pigeon Service,Army Pigeon Service,RAF Pigeon Service,Middle East Pigeon Service,Australian Army Signal Corps,and the Signal Corps United States Army. On the European front a figure of around 26-27 thousand birds were kept trained for the duties that they may be required to fulfil. Against the occupied countries of Europe some 16.800 of our birds were parachuted to Allied agents of S.O.E[Special Operations Executive]and only 1280 returned to this country with their message containers. I feel sure that these figures of the birds that returned with their message containers,shows the very special duty that the birds were expected to perform and the dangers that they faced in these operations under extremely hazardous conditions. These parachute drops were only executed under cover of darkness,and this was so risky as the pilots dropping these containers could never be sure of the birds landing safely.these containers did have instructions regarding the handling and the feeding of each bird,but the main trouble was that they could have landed in enemy hands and met their end fairly quickly.We know of course that a number of these were handled by the
'Jerries'because on their return the message capsule contained a small explosive charge and anyone in the UK opening these cotainers would suffer injury.This little ruse by the Germans was soon overcome as we became aware of this trick and took the necessary steps to overcome this without too much personal injury to the staff at 'WING HOUSE' in London.There were of course other dangerous aspects to these 'Para' drops as birds were landed in isolated spots and never found,perhaps in trees or in water and were drowned,but that was the risk we had to take in obtaining the most vital information about our enemy at the expence of life of the humble pigeon. I do know that the Under Secretary of State,a Mr A Street in may 1945,forwarded a letter to the committee and members of the N.P.S.
expressing their grateful thanks for the valuable service our birds played in the final surrender of GERMANY.This letter was authorised by the AIR
MINISTRY, WHITEHALL, LONDON. A futher letter was also received by Mr Selby Thomas at H.Q.in Gloucester as secretary of the N.P.S.from the USA Commanding Officer Signal Corps,United States Army Pigeon Service for the help and co-operation they received in supplying some 46,000 birds for their operations with the Allied forces against the 'Jerries' or 'Krauts' as the 'Yanks'called them.Thanks truly earned by our birds and their handlers.

Just to add a few personal details as follows,
Frederick Dyke was born in B'Ham in July 1923 and left school in 1937 at the age of 14 years. I started work on my 14th birthday in a local Aluminium Foundry.At the commencement of War I joined the ARP Messenger Service and the National Pigeon Service assisting the Army and RAF Pigeon Service.

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