He died a hero: ‘Victoria Cross’ for army explosives sniffer dog Theo

By MARTYN McLAUGHLIN
Published on 26/10/2012 00:00

HE served with strength, courage and intelligence, finding a record cache of bombs and weaponry in the war-ravaged deserts of Afghanistan, saving countless lives in the process.

Now, a springer spaniel who died just hours after his beloved handler in Helmand Province has been recognised with the highest honour an animal can achieve.

Theo, an army explosives sniffer dog, was on patrol with Lance-Corporal Liam Tasker, 26, last year when the Fife-born soldier was shot dead by insurgents.

Later that day, the 22-month-old springer spaniel suffered a fatal seizure, leading L-Cpl Tasker’s family to believe he died of a broken heart.

The pair, described by army officials as inseparable, helped detect 14 Taleban roadside bombs and weapons caches in just five months, the most any arms and explosives search dog in Afghanistan has found.

In the aftermath of the double tragedy, the dog’s ashes were flown home to Britain, alongside the body of his master.

In a special ceremony at Wellington Barracks near Buckingham Palace yesterday, Theo was posthumously awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal, regarded as the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross.

It follows the posthumous award last September of an MBE to L-Cpl Tasker, from Tayport, Fife.

Jane Duffy, his mother, welcomed the fact her son’s “best mate” was being acknowledged for his bravery.

“Liam got his mention in dispatches, so it’s lovely that Theo is getting his PDSA Dickin Medal and he’s being recognised for his bravery as well,” she said.

“They’ll be watching us, and they’ll be so proud. I just wish they were here to get it themselves. Theo and Liam saved so many lives out there.”

During their time in Afghanistan, L-Cpl Tasker and Theo, who served in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, helped provide search and clearance support. On one occasion, Theo discovered an underground tunnel leading to a room in which insurgents were suspected of making bombs and hiding from coalition forces.

The Dickin Medal – the highest accolade any animal can receive in recognition of devotion to duty in saving human life while serving in military conflict – was established by PDSA founder Maria Dickin in 1943.

It was accepted yesterday by Sergeant Matthew Jones – who served alongside L-Cpl Tasker – and his search dog, Grace.

He recalled a partnership unlike any other. “Throughout the time I knew [Liam], he was the consummate professional,” he said. “When he teamed up with Theo, it seemed a match made in heaven. Their teamwork was ultimately professional but mostly fun. That was the way they worked.”

Colonel Neil Smith, director of the Army Veterinary and Remount Service, also paid tribute. He said: “This award recognises not only a very special dog, but also the contribution that all our dog teams make in detecting improvised explosive devices and weapons caches.”

For gallantry – other animal acts of bravery

THEO is the 64th animal to receive the PDSA Dickin Medal. Here are some of the other winners:

SIMON

The only cat to be recognised, he served on HMS Amethyst during the Yangtze Incident, killing many rats despite being wounded by a shell blast that left a foot-wide hole in a steel plate. He was awarded the medal posthumously in 1949, having helped prevent the ship’s rations being eaten by the vermin.

GUSTAV

The first of the RAF’s homing pigeon service to bring news of D-Day to British shores. He was one of six birds given to the RAF by Reuters war correspondent Montague Taylor, who had travelled with Allied Forces across the Channel. The birds were taken to battle in wicker baskets on servicemen’s backs and set free to fly home with vital information. Gustav was released off Normandy and, faced with headwinds of up to 30mph, flew 150 miles to a pigeon loft near Portsmouth – a journey that lasted five hours and 16 minutes. He was honoured in 1944.

OLGA

One of three police horses to be honoured in 1947, the bay mare had been on patrol in London when an unexploded Second World War bomb went off, destroying a row of houses. A startled Olga bolted but returned so her rider could assist in the rescue operation.

ROB

A crossbred collie who served with the SAS and was said to have made over 20 parachute descents in the Second World War. However,it later emerged his exploits were a fiction created by his SAS handler to prevent his companion being returned to his owners.