Simon was the ships cat on H.M.S. Amethyst.For his outstanding behaviour in keeping morale up, and the rats down, during Amethysts troubles, even though he was wounded by shellfire, he was awarded the Dickinson medal. This is the equivilent of the animal V.C. and was the first time it had been awarded to a cat.
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When the ship returned to England Simon became world famous with bags of fan mail delivered daily. Unfortunately Simon had to be placed into quarentine far away from all his sailor friends.He didn’t last long there and soon died. Whether it was the loss of his friends, or more probably his age which caused him to die, we will never know. He was buried with his own gravestone in a pet cemetary in Essex.
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There is a memorial plaque to Simon, at the P.D.S.A surgery in Durnford Street, Plymouth.
There is a memorial plaque to Simon, at the P.D.S.A surgery in Durnford Street, Plymouth.
Liz says
I have just read this intriguing story and the final pages reduced me to tears, so hoped he would live a long and happy life. A wonderful story of an amazing cat. Would love to visit his grave but too far away, I hope someone takes care of it. RIP Simon God Bless you.