The Tale of Simon: The Tuxedo Cat Who Became a Naval Hero

Hong Kong - Ekhbary News Agency

The Unlikely Naval Hero: Simon the Cat's Extraordinary Service

In a world often dominated by tales of human valor, certain stories emerge that transcend species, proving that courage, loyalty, and an unwavering spirit can be found in the most unexpected of beings. Among these remarkable narratives is that of Simon, a humble tuxedo cat whose journey from a stray kitten to a decorated naval hero captured hearts and made history. His tale is one of resilience, duty, and the profound bond between animals and the humans they serve.

Simon's extraordinary life began in March 1948, on the bustling docks of Stonecutters Island in Hong Kong. A young British sailor named George Hickinbottom, aged 17, discovered a small, black-and-white kitten, barely more than a few months old. The feline, thin and hungry, was taken aboard HMS Amethyst, the warship where Hickinbottom was stationed. Far from being a mere stowaway, Simon quickly proved his worth. The presence of a cat was invaluable for pest control, safeguarding the ship's vital food supplies from rats. The crew adopted him wholeheartedly, bestowing upon him the name Simon, and he soon embraced his role with feline dedication.

The year 1949 marked a pivotal moment for both China and HMS Amethyst. On April 19, the ship set sail for Nanjing, carrying 183 sailors, the loyal dog Peggy, and, of course, Simon. However, the mission was fraught with peril. China was in the throes of its civil war, and the Yangtze River, a crucial waterway, had become a strategic flashpoint. HMS Amethyst was tasked with supporting British diplomatic interests and potentially evacuating personnel from the British embassy in Nanjing. Tensions were escalating, with Communist forces poised to cross the river and engage Nationalist troops.

Tragedy struck the very next morning, April 20. Artillery fire rained down on HMS Amethyst from the north bank of the Yangtze. The assault caused the ship to run aground, resulting in casualties among the crew and damage to the vessel. Even Simon was not spared; he sustained severe injuries from shrapnel and burns to his face and back. While other British ships attempted to render aid, they too faced enemy fire and suffered losses. The situation was dire, leaving HMS Amethyst stranded amidst escalating conflict.

What followed was a harrowing three-month ordeal. The ship remained stuck in the river, caught in a complex geopolitical standoff. Britain asserted its right to navigate the Yangtze based on an old treaty, while the Communist forces demanded accountability for entering a war zone. The crew endured sweltering heat, constant threat from shore batteries, and dwindling provisions. Diplomatic negotiations faltered repeatedly, leaving the sailors and their animal companions in a precarious situation.

Amidst this adversity, Simon's true character shone through. Despite his painful injuries, he displayed remarkable fortitude. He diligently licked his wounds and, with unwavering resolve, returned to his duty of hunting rats, ensuring the integrity of the ship's food stores. Author David Long, who wrote "The Animals' VC: For Gallantry Or Devotion," notes Simon's unique personality. "He was what we call here a 'moggy,' which is a really basic family cat. He’s nothing special, and that makes him special," Long explains. Simon wasn't just a mouser; he was a source of comfort. He would playfully sleep in officers' hats, leave dead mice as gifts in sailors' shoes, and, crucially, offer comforting purrs to the crew, even while injured.

After three months of being trapped, with supplies critically low, the crew of HMS Amethyst decided to make a daring escape. Under the cover of darkness on July 30, 1949, the ship extinguished its lights and stealthily followed a Chinese merchant vessel, the Kiangling Liberation, navigating the treacherous shoals of the river. When shore batteries opened fire, they struck and sank the Liberation, inadvertently clearing the path for HMS Amethyst to break free and make a 104-mile dash to safety in the South China Sea.

The return to Hong Kong was met with widespread celebration. The sailors were hailed as heroes, and Simon, the courageous tuxedo cat, was no exception. Photographs of him adorned newspapers globally. News soon arrived that Simon would be honored with the PDSA Dickin Medal, an award established by the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals in London to recognize exceptional bravery by animals in wartime. Peggy the dog also survived the ordeal, but it was Simon, dubbed "the leading pet of the crew," who sailed back to Britain with the men.

Their arrival in Plymouth, England, on November 2, 1949, was met with immense crowds and fanfare. The overwhelming attention, however, proved too much for the modest feline, who promptly hid in the ship's hold. A brief period of panic ensued when Simon briefly went missing after the crowds dispersed, a lapse The Globe and Mail humorously dubbed "a black mark on his brilliant record of service under fire." Fortunately, he soon reappeared, ready for a well-deserved nap.

Simon's celebrity status was cemented. He received countless letters, necessitating the appointment of an "official cat officer" from the crew to manage his correspondence. Despite his impending military decoration, as an animal arriving from abroad, Simon still had to undergo a period of quarantine at a pet hospital.

Tragically, Simon died unexpectedly on November 28, while still in quarantine, likely only two years old. Reports at the time cited various causes, including the cold climate, lingering effects of his wartime injuries, and a mysterious intestinal inflammation. Regardless of the exact cause, his passing prompted a global outpouring of grief for the brave little cat. Simon was posthumously awarded the Dickin Medal, and his tiny coffin was draped with the Union Jack and interred with full military honors at the Ilford Animal Cemetery in East London.

David Long reflects on why Simon's story continues to resonate: "People don’t expect cats to be brave, whereas they might expect a dog to be brave." Simon's headstone stands as a testament to his courage, inscribed with the words: "Throughout The Yangtse Incident His Behaviour Was Of The Highest Order." His legacy reminds us that heroism knows no bounds, and even the smallest among us can achieve greatness.

Ekhbary News Agency