RSPCA pays tribute to hero of the Blitz

A blue plaque was unveiled at the RSPCA Hull and East Riding centre in Clough Road

A man who rescued more than 2,000 pets during the Hull Blitz has been honoured by the RSPCA.

Sydney Colman was the first manager of the charity's Hull and East Riding animal centre.

During World War Two, Mr Colman would visit bombed homes to rescue the animals left behind. He was buried in rubble on three occasions.

A blue plaque, which commemorates his work, was unveiled at the Clough Road centre on Saturday.

Mr Colman managed the centre for more than 25 years and was awarded the RSPCA silver medal for his bravery.

After the war, he recalled how when homes were bombed, the RSPCA staff would gather up the pets and care for them until they were claimed.

He would burrow through rubble to rescue animals, had close encounters with unexploded bombs, and was blown across a room by an explosion.

On one occasion, he rescued a parrot, which rewarded him by singing Rule Britannia. While dogs, cats and rabbits were most common, he also rescued fish, a monkey, pigs and a horse.

His grandson, Andrew Colman, joined RSPCA staff and volunteers at the ceremony.

He said it was a day he would "never forget" and described the work of today's RSPCA workers as "vital".

Sydney Colman rescued thousands of animals during World War Two

Councillor Mark Collinson, the Lord Mayor of Hull, unveiled the plaque, before the celebrations continued during a community open day.

Emily Lomas, the fundraising manager at RSPCA Hull and East Riding, said the team felt "proud" to continue Mr Colman's work.

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