The National Pigeon Service (NPS) was a volunteer civilian organization formed in Britain in 1938 as result of representations made to the Committee of Imperial Defence and the British Government by Major W. H. Osman.[1] During 1939-45 over 200,000 young pigeons were given to the services by the British pigeon breeders of the NPS.[1] The birds were used by the Royal Air Force and the Army and Intelligence Services, Special Section of the Army Pigeon Service (which was formed in World War I by Lt. Col. A.H.Osman). During three and a half years of World War II, 16,554 war pigeons were parachuted onto the continent.[1] One of these was Commando, a red chequer cock bird that became a recipient of the Dickin Medal.[2] Many other NPS pigeons also received the Dickin Medal.[3]