One limited edition of eight archival pigment prints, otherwise known as a giclée print.  Signed, named and numbered by the artist in pencil in the bottom border.

Giclée involves the use of specialist large format printers, archival pigment inks and museum-grade Hahnemuhle 290gsm fine art papers; the combination of which produces prints of exceptional quality and longevity.

Archival framing using hand picked Tassie Oak is an additional option. This piece is approximately 96cm x 76cm framed.

Please contact Sarah M:0447 979 262 if this of interest to you. 

OR

For enquiries about the original Graphite and watercolour on Saunders Waterford 300gsm paper. 

PDSA Dickin Medal recipient Ricky | Welsh Collie

Date of award: 29 March 1947 | British Army “sapper” division concerned with mine detection and removal.”

For extreme bravery and devotion to duty.

When Mrs Litchfield of Bromley in Kent put Ricky forward to serve his country, she made it clear that the Welsh Collie was only on loan. He entered the War Dogs Training School at Northaw, Hertfordshire in 1944 and quickly showed the intelligence and temperament needed to become a mine detection and clearance specialist.

In early December 1944, Ricky and his handler, Maurice Yielding, (a circus performer in “Civvy Street”) were helping to clear mines placed along the banks of the Noordevaart canal in the Netherlands. They faced a deadly array of explosive devices - 16 different types of anti-tank mine, ten different types of anti-personnel mine and multiple booby traps.

As the operation progressed, Ricky safely detected device after device, even though they were hidden in undergrowth, gravel and deep mud. His Section Commander accidently triggered a mine when he was only a metre from Ricky.

They were in the middle of a minefield at the time and despite shrapnel wounds to his head, Ricky calmly carried on with the job in hand, continuing to clear mines and creating a safe passage to rescue survivors.

According to Maurice, his refusal to panic saved many lives. He said:

‘Ricky was steady as the Rock of Gibraltar and I think it was his coolness that brought us out of a sticky patch safely’. 

Ricky and Maurice continued working together as the 279th Field Company of the 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division played its part in a string of major battles.

By now the Army knew the true value of the skills dogs like Ricky provided and an offer ‘to the maximum amount allowed for a dog’ was made to buy him. Mrs Litchfield wouldn’t budge, however, and Ricky returned home at the end of the war.

As viewed on the Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals website, 11/04/2023 < https://www.pdsa.org.uk/what-we-do/animal-awards-programme/pdsa-dickin-medal> and various conversations and sources.

If you have any dog stories, please get in touch.