Simon the cat, a rat-catcher on the frigate Amethyst which continued its duties despite being hit by shrapnel and singed during shelling raids by Chinese communists on the Yangtze River in 1949.
The cat stuck to its task despite injury during the 101-day summer siege that followed.
During the initial bombardment and subsequent rescue attempts by three other Royal Navy vessels, 46 men were killed. More than 50 men remained on board after the Amethyst was struck and ran aground on a mud bank.
The communists withheld supplies for more than three months while they used the ship as a political bargaining chip. But the black and white cat kept up morale and the crew credited it with saving their lives by protecting dwindling food stores from a rat infestation.
The life of a Royal Navy cat, who gained fame for his exploits in helping to save the lives of the crew of HMS Amethyst in 1949, was commemorated at a special ceremony in East London yesterday, 1 November 2007. Former Royal Navy officers paid tribute to famous rat catcher 'Simon the Cat', who...
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I have added a tag 'Simon the cat' to all pics and info I could find on MI.Net so if you click the tag at the top of the page you will find them all.
That cat was great. Heard his story a few years ago, and it was fvcking impresive, unveliebable and very moving.
He was so fvcking awesome that a Rank was created for him, becoming the first ever "Able Seacat"
His decorations include
-Dickin Medal
-Blue Cross
-Naval General Service Medal with 1949 Yangtze Clasp
Cmon, he even killed motherfvcking Mao Tse Tung, while in China and got away with it.
One of those stories that will surprise you no matter what.... so much bravery, sacrifice, loyalty, devotion to duty and to his comrades….. And all done by "just a cat"
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