Statue unveiled in Dundee of Winkie the pigeon who saved four airmen during Second World War

A new statue has been unveiled in Dundee to remember a pigeon who was decorated for helping save the lives of four airmen during the Second World War.

Winkie the pigeon flew more than 100 miles back to her home in Broughty Ferry, after the plane she was travelling in crashed in the North Sea in 1942.

Her owner George Ross found her exhausted and covered in oil, concerned he raised the alarm and a rescue mission was launched.

All four men survived, and later threw a thank you dinner to Winkie for saving their lives.

While her story has been passed down the generations locally, it was a campaign sparked by the curiosity of the local Cub Scouts that resulted in a bronze monument to the bird.

Cameron McKeown, one of the leaders at the 49th Dundee Scout Group, said: “We told the story of Winkie the Pigeon to the cubs a couple of years ago to commemorate remembrance.

“When we were telling the story one of the cubs said “it’s a Broughty Ferry hero and how have they never heard or seen anything about”.

Winkie was among the first to be awarded the Dickin Medal – also known as the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross for her courage.

She survived the war, living a happy life in Broughty Ferry before her death in 1953.

George Ross’s cousin Norma Nicolson told STV News she was delighted to see her memorialised. She said: “She was just a small bird, she wasn’t big but that’s just a beautiful, beautiful statue.

“I hope (people) remember what Winkie did in saving these lives.

“Yes it’s very very special. She’s a special bird.”