How a dog from Liverpool became a symbol of courage during World War II.
In 2016, the British daily Liverpool Echo published an article titled “A New Generation of Fans for Jet, the Dog Who Saved 150 Lives” paying tribute to Jet of Iada, a German Shepherd from Liverpool who rescued people trapped during World War II.
Recruited during the Blitz to participate in Civil Defence operations, Jet was trained to locate people trapped under the rubble of bombings in London. Thanks to his exceptional nose and bravery, he saved 150 lives.
For his achievements, he received the Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross, as well as the RSPCA Medal of Bravery.
Jet passed away in 1949 at the age of seven. He was buried in Calderstones Park, where a monument was erected in his memory. Since then, this site has become a powerful symbol for the local community and for all those who remember the role of war dogs.
In July 2016, a class from Childwall Primary School visited the park to clean and maintain the monument. Equipped with gloves and cleaning materials, the children paid tribute to the heroic dog of their city.
On this occasion, the students had the chance to meet Lilias Ward, then 93 years old, who had been Jet’s owner after the war. She shared with them many memories, such as:
- Jet led the Victory Parade in London in 1945, and in front of Buckingham Palace, he surprised the crowd by sitting down and barking three times.
- At home, he behaved like a true pack leader, keeping his siblings in order when they wandered too far.
For the teachers, this meeting was a unique experience. “It was wonderful for the children to be able to ask Lilias questions. A fantastic day,” explained Jo Parry, a school teacher.
Beyond World War II, Jet continued his work: in 1947, he participated in the rescue of miners trapped after a tunnel collapse in Whitehaven, Cumbria. This act earned him further recognition from the RSPCA.
Today, thanks to initiatives like those of the Friends of Harthill and Calderstones Park and the organization The Reader Charity, Jet’s memory is passed on to younger generations. As Richard MacDonald, heritage officer for The Reader, reminded:
“Jet was a very brave and very special dog. It’s wonderful that children learn about his story at school, visit his monument, and have the opportunity to meet Mrs. Ward to hear her memories.”
