WW2 hero dog gets special memorial

A dog, who played a key role during the Second World War, has been honoured with a special sculpture in Loughborough.

Bing, an Alsatian and Collie cross, was given to the army in 1945 when his owners could no longer feed him due to rationing.

He trained at the Army War Dog Training School in Hertfordshire, before being assigned to an army unit.

In 1947 Bing was awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal for bravery in service during WW2 – the animal equivalent to the Victoria Cross, given to soldiers who show extreme courage.

Bing took part in many important battles, being parachuted into Normandy on D-Day in 1944 as part of the 13th Parachute Battalion, 6th Airborne Division.

He served in France until September 1944 where he used his training to locate the enemy and protect the soldiers he was with.

He also went into the Rhine in Germany with his unit in 1945, the year the war ended.

Bing went back to live with his family following the end of the Second World War.

Bing was awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal in 1947 for bravery in service

The statue of Bing was unveiled in Queen's Park on 6 November, ahead of Remembrance Sunday.

Mayor of Charnwood, Councillor David Northage said: "Bing's story is truly remarkable and it is great to be able to recognise him with this sculpture in Queen's Park.

"Loughborough has a rich military history and Bing is part of that, along with all the other animals that helped servicemen and women during the Second World War."

The unique sculpture of Bing was designed and created by local artist, Duncan Thurlby.

The sculpture was unveiled in an event hosted by Mayor of Charnwood Cllr David Northage

Since the end of WW2 steps have been taken to recognise the huge role animals played in the conflict.

The Dickin medal was established in 1943 by the PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals), a charity that looks after injured animals.