War heroine Winkie the pigeon honoured with Broughty Ferry sculpture

A feathered war hero has been honoured with a bronze statue in Broughty Ferry.

Winkie the Pigeon received the Dickin Medal for Bravery - the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross - for her role in the rescue of an aircrew which crashed into the North Sea in 1942.

The carrier pigeon flew more than 100 miles home to the Ferry to sound the alarm about the four crew members of the Beaufort bomber, which had been returning from a mission over Norway.

The statue sits on the flood gates at Beach Crescent.

Relatives of Winkie's owner George Ross attended the unveiling of the statue in the town this morning.

They were joined by Cubs from the local 49th Dundee Scout Group, who had campaigned for a local commemoration for the pigeon after they were inspired by her bravery.

Fond memories of the pigeon

We spoke to 87-year-old Norma Nicholson, whose mother was a cousin of Winkie's owner.

She told us she remembers holding the bird as a five-year-old girl and said the story is one the family has always been proud of.

Norma said: "It's lovely to see that statue because it's going to keep Winkie and the story of her alive for generations to come."

"It is a beautiful sculpture, it really is - they've done Winkie proud."

Dundee City Council has installed the sculpture as part of public art investment in flood protection and active travel improvements.

Councillor Steven Rome, convener of Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure, said:

“I am also pleased that relatives of George Ross have been able to attend this poignant event to unveil the statue, which is fittingly close to Remembrance Sunday.”

When Winkie died, her owner donated her and her Dickin Medal to Dundee Art Galleries and Museums.

Both can be seen today on display in The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum.

The bronze casting was created by Scottish sculptor David Annand.

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