A DOG who saved the lives of Huddersfield troops in Iraq was today receiving the canine equivalent of the Victoria Cross bravery award.
Explosives sniffer dog Buster unearthed a cache of hidden weapons and explosives in an area where soldiers from the West Yorkshire-based Duke of Wellington's Regiment were patrolling.
The five-year-old springer spaniel is credited with saving the lives of countless civilians and troops.
Today he was receiving the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals Dickin Award from Princess Alexandra.
The award was instituted in 1943 to honour the heroism of animals in the Second World War.
Buster located arms, explosives and bomb-making equipment in buildings in Safwan, thought to be the headquarters of extremists responsible for attacks on British forces.
The haul included AK47 assault rifles, a pistol, six primed grenades, grenade fuses, ammunition in magazines, loose ammunition and large quantities of cash, drugs and propaganda material.
Following the find, all attacks ceased and shortly afterwards troops were able to replace their helmets with berets.
Today's ceremony was being watched by TV war correspondent Kate Adie and actors Joanna Lumley, Jenny Seagrove, Virginia McKenna and Bill Pertwee at the Imperial War Museum in London.
Buster was being accompanied by his handler, Sgt Danny Morgan, who is based at the military dogs training school at Aldershot.
Buster will be the 60th animal to be presented with the prestigious medal.
It has already been awarded to 32 pigeons, 23 dogs, three horses and a cat since 1943.
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