Antiques Roadshow expert calls wartime pigeon the 'James Bond of the pigeon world'

A rare wartime medal, awarded to a serving racing pigeon from the Second World War, has been filmed for the Antiques Roadshow.

The decoration was given to a pigeon called “Mary”, who was “dropped behind enemy lines” to bring messages back to Britain from the French Resistance.

Antiques Roadshow expert Mark Smith declared the flying ace as “the James Bond of the pigeon world”.

“It genuinely is the Victoria Cross for animals. It’s the highest honour an animal can receive.”

Speaking to its owners, he said: “When you came to my table this morning, you opened the bag and you told me what was inside and I said, ‘No, stop now. We're just going to film this one because this is so fantastic'.”

In 1943, it was decided that animals should receive awards for their bravery during conflicts, including pigeons.

On tonight’s show, the two ladies tell the story of how their grandfather launched this racing pigeon from his pigeon loft to fight the Germans.

Asked how many trips Mary made to France, they replied: “Oh, she went lots of times but the three main times that she got the medal for were in 1942. On the first trip, she came back and she'd been hawked.

“The Germans sent up hawks to kill the pigeons. But she made it back and needed some 10 stitches which grandad, being a bootmaker, was able to do himself and then Mary went out again another time. She came back and she'd been shot under her wing. More stitches were needed.

“Up she went again on her last trip, and she was 10 days overdue, and they didn't know where she was. She was eventually found by a farmer in his field and got her back to grandad.

“She was very seriously injured. Mary survived but she was retired from war service after that she was given the Dickin medal.”

The medal and certificate are valued by Smith at £30,000.

“This has been one of the best things I've ever filmed because that little pigeon was so brave.”

Antiques Roadshow, BBC1, TONIGHT, 8PM