Lucy Stevens

Pigeons were used to deliver messages during WWI and WWII, when the usual methods of communication were disrupted or unavailable.

Cher Ami (Dear Friend) is a famous war pigeon, who delivered a message that saved the Lost Battalion (194 people), in WWI. The two pigeons that tried to send messages before her failed to do so (they were shot down). This is a tribute to Cher Ami and the two nameless pigeons.

First message sent by unknown pigeon number 1:

‘Many wounded we cannot evacuate.’

Second message sent by unknown pigeon number 2:

‘Men are suffering can support be sent?’

Third message sent by Cher Ami that saved the Lost Battalion:

‘We are along the road parallel to 276.4 our artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heaven’s sake stop it!’