Page 11 - Animals Go to War: From Dogs to Dolphins

JUDY IN PEACE

Williams visited Judy often during her quarantine. He shared stories
of her bravery with journalists, who published stories about her in
magazines and newspapers. The headlines in one newspaper read,
“Gunboat Judy Saved Lives—Wins a Medal and Life Pension.”
During the six months of quarantine, the story of Judy’s incredible
journey and heroic acts made her a national hero. After Judy’s release
from quarantine, she and Williams attended ceremonies in her honor,
went on tours, marched in parades, and accepted awards for bravery.
Williams and Judy visited the families of many POWs who had died in
captivity during the war. He said, “The presence of Judy seemed a way
to soften the essence of these sad times and brought some comfort with
many families that had lived for months or years in uncertainty about
the facts.”
In 1948 Williams and Judy moved to what is now Tanzania,
Africa, to work on a British government project to plant massive
amounts of peanuts for food. Judy died in Africa in 1950 at the age of
fourteen with Williams at her side. He wrapped Judy in his RAF jacket
and buried her on a small hill near his hut. Williams lived for fifty-
three more years after Judy died. He never owned another dog.

Comrades in War 13