An heroic First World War horse isto be awarded the "animals' VC" today inrecognition of the gallantry of millions of animals that servedduring the conflict.

The Honorary PDSA Dickin Medal is being presented posthumouslyto famous war horse Warrior, dubbed "the horse the Germanscould not kill" at a special ceremony today.

The award, presented in the centenary year of the First WorldWar, is the first honorary PDSA Dickin Medal ever presented inthe veterinary charity's 97-year history as a recognition ofthe gallantry showed by all the animals that served on the frontline during the conflict.

The medal will be accepted by author and broadcaster BroughScott MBE, grandson of Warrior's owner and rider General JackSeely, at a special ceremony compered by Kate Adie OBE at theImperial War Museum (IWM) London this evening, After arriving onthe Western Front on August 11 1914 with Gnrl Seely, Warriorstayed there throughout the war, surviving machine gun attacksand falling shells at the Battle of the Somme.

He was dug out of the mud of Passchendaele and twice trappedunder the burning beams of his stables, surviving many charges atthe enemy and proving an inspiration to the soldiers he wasfighting alongside.

Despite suffering several injuries, Warrior survived andreturned home to the Isle of Wight in 1918, where he lived withthe Seely family until his death aged 33.

The PDSA Dickin Medal, instituted by the charity's founderMaria Dickin in 1943, is recognised as the highest award ananimal can achieve while serving in military conflict.

Warrior's award as the first ever First World Warrecipient of a medal, and the first honorary award, has beenrecognised by celebrity supporters including Steven Spielberg,director of the Oscar-nominated film War Horse.

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