The Animal Victoria Cross by Peter Hawthorne

Author:Peter Hawthorne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain / General
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2023-08-17T00:00:00+00:00

Robert continued his career in the RAF and was restored to his wartime rank of Flight Sergeant. On 22 June 1951 he became a British citizen. He was transferred to Scotland and Antis continued to enjoy life on the base, wandering around during the day and being well-fed by the canteen cook. However, the harsh winter of 1952/3 took its toll on Antis, the battle scars and short absences from Robert next to the runway at Honnington and in Hackbridge had weakened him. As Robert lay on his bed in the barracks he felt Antis lie heavily on his chest, when ordered to his bed Antis did not move. Slowly Antis rose to his feet, clambered down from the bunk toward his bed on the floor but collapsed before reaching his bed.

The next morning it was clear Antis was unwell. He had lost the strength in his legs and would not eat much. Robert took him to the local vet, who advised putting Antis to sleep. Robert sat in his barracks, looked at the pictures of his family arranged next to his bunk, the family in Czechoslovakia that was cut off from contact. Robert found it hard to decide what to do, Antis was his only link to home, so he wrote to the PDSA for advice. A telegram reply said:

Advise putting old friend out of misery. Grave reserved.

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