A dog which helped a Fife soldier save countless lives has been posthumously awarded the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross.
Springer spaniel Theo worked alongside the late Lance Corporal Liam Tasker, of Tayport, to seek out hidden weapons and bombs in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province. L/Cpl Tasker was killed by enemy fire in March last year and Theo died hours later many say of a broken heart.
During a ceremony at Wellington Barracks in London on Thursday, the PDSA Dickin Medal was conferred on Theo.
L/Cpl Tasker’s mother Jane Duffy described the special bond between man and dog. She said Theo was her son’s best friend.
She said: ”Liam got his Mention in Despatches, so it’s lovely that Theo is getting his PDSA Dickin Medal and he’s being recognised for his bravery as well.
”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.”
The inseparable pair made a formidable team. They uncovered a record 14 Taliban roadside bombs and weapons caches in five months.
L/Cpl Tasker was 26 when he died while serving with the Royal Veterinary Corps, 1st Military Working Dog Regiment.
He was mentioned in despatches for being the most successful arms and explosives search dog handler in Afghanistan since operations began. He was also posthumously honoured with an MBE.
Theo made the most confirmed operational finds by any arms and explosives search dog in Afghanistan to date.
On one occasion, the spaniel is said to have discovered an underground tunnel leading to a room in which insurgents were suspected of making bombs and hiding from coalition forces.
Sergeant Matthew Jones, who served alongside L/Cpl Tasker, and search dog Grace accepted the PDSA award on Theo’s behalf.
Sgt Jones remembered his friend as being full of life.
”Throughout the time I knew him 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.
”The dogs love it. It’s quite weird to say because a lot of soldiers have their pressures. But the dogs are out there for their handler and they just want to have fun.”
After his handler was killed in a Taliban sniper attack, Theo suffered a seizure.
The dog was airlifted to Camp Bastion where, despite the care of vets, he died less than 10 hours later.
Theo had already been given a Dogs Trust Honours Award. Mrs Duffy accepted the award at a ceremony in London last summer. She was given a standing ovation.
Colonel Neil Smith, director of the Army Veterinary and Remount Service, said: ”The Royal Army Veterinary Corps is honoured that PDSA has awarded its Dickin Medal to Theo.
”Sadly Theo died just a few hours after his handler L/Cpl Liam Tasker sadly succumbed to his injuries. This impressive team undoubtedly prevented many soldiers and civilians being killed or injured.
”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.”
PDSA chairman Michael Bolton said: ”We are proud to honour Theo with the PDSA Dickin Medal, the highest award any animal can receive for life-saving bravery in conflict. Without doubt, Theo’s actions in Afghanistan saved many human lives.”
Since the Dickin Medal was introduced by PDSA founder Maria Dickin in 1943, the honour has now been bestowed on 64 animals including 28 dogs, 32 Second World War messenger pigeons, three horses and one cat.