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And you thought that only males served aboard ships during WWII. Well, if you thought that you would be
wrong. Judy served in Great Britain’s Royal Navy, rare for a female true enough, but under special
circumstances females were allowed aboard the ocean going vessels in times of war. In Judy’s case, she
was especially useful because Judy had keen eyesight – some of the keenest eyesight of any sailor aboard
any ship in the war, and Judy’s special job on her ship was that of spotter. Everyone aboard a WWII vessel
had a special assignment: those with the keenest eyesight were given binoculars and had the task of
scanning the ocean for signs of a periscope, which indicated the possible presence of an enemy
submarine. Those with keen hearing were assigned to positions around the ship where they could best
utilize their special skills. Judy’s eyesight was so keen that hers received no improvement with the use of
binoculars. On more than one occasion, Judy was able to spot the periscope of an enemy submarine
before any of the other spotters, thus saving her ship an untimely and inglorious end.
Besides keen eyesight, Judy's sense of hearing was elevated as well. As uncanny as it sounds, Judy had
the ability to hear approaching enemy aircraft long before anyone else on board, and was thus able to alert
the ship's captain in such a timely fashion as to allow ample time to for everyone to be already at their battle
stations when attacked from above.
Besides contributing greatly to the physical defense of her boat, Judy also provided much a needed morale
boost among her shipmates. Life is already long and uncomfortable above any ocean-going vessel, but in
time of war may be added the adjectives difficult and perilous. Having Judy aboard provided just the sort
of morale boost to assuage even the most depressed of the sailors.
Judy would go on to be awarded a medal for the special service she provided aboard her ship in the Pacific
theater of the war. Besides serving valiantly aboard her assigned ship, Judy’s ship was eventually sunk,
and she became a Japanese prisoner of war along with the other survivors of her vessel. As a prisoner of
war Judy continued to prove her worth. She provided a valuable service in continuing to lifting the spirits
of her ship mates who were captive. Judy also proved to be an excellent scrounger, finding food and
supplies when none seemingly could be found. As a Japanese prisoner of war, Judy suffered many of the
same indignities and deprivations of her fellow prisoners, and fortunately for them Judy was allowed to stay
where they were.
For Judy’s service and bravery she received due accolades and awards when she was finally released, and
after she eventually found her way to the homeland. Judy received a special citation, which read in part:
"For magnificent courage and endurance in Japanese prison camps, which helped to maintain morale among
her fellow prisoners and also for saving many lives through her intelligence and watchfulness." But Judy was
not born in England – she was born in China. So not being an English-born citizen makes it all the more
amazing that the Royal Navy and Great Britain bestowed upon her these tokens of much deserved merit.
And although she was not a British citizen she was eventually smuggled into the island country where the
citizens there could show their own personal gratitude to her for her invaluable service to their homeland.
Although it was quite unusual to find a female serving aboard a vessel of war, it was not that unusual to find
a female prisoner of war, of which there were several, Judy being among them. But Judy’s case was
different: she was the only one of her kind to be so ensconced. Judy, you see, although not an English
citizen, was English. Judy was especially English.
At this time it is not known where Judy's remains lie, but the many medals that she won are on display at the
British Imperial War Museum, and you can see them there. Judy truly was a war hero. And Judy was
something else. Judy was one of a kind. As a matter of fact, so far as is known, there never has been one
quite like Judy; for Judy, you see, was the only ..., well, Judy, an English Pointer, was the only non-human
creature to be officially listed as a Japanese prisoner of war during WWII.