CBE. Commander of the Order of the British Empire
The CBE decoration is just one below a knighthood which for a gentleman would entitle them to be addressed as Lord and for a lady would entitle them to be addressed as Dame
These awards are part of the UK’s unique honours system. Honours are bestowed on individuals for extraordinary service and substantial achievements that benefit society. These can be nominated any individual or organisation and by the Prime Minister although bestowed by the Monarch.
RCVS. Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
The result of this lady’s contribution to animal welfare is legendary, but the lady herself is virtually unknown.
During World War I, while working in the poorer communities around Whitechapel in London as a social worker, Maria Dickin was appalled by the suffering endured by both working animals and domestic pets due to poverty. Also, she realised that many businesses relied heavily on horses and donkeys for the survival of their enterprise, cats were critical in the never-ending fight against rats, and dogs provided companionship.
Maria decided to take action, but setting up a charity during World War I was a huge challenge, particularly as Marie had no wealth or influential connections.
Born in 1870 in Hackney in the East End of London, daughter of a Wesleyan minister, she was raised with a strong sense of duty. She wasn’t afraid as a female to work in defiance of the convention at the time. At that time, it wasn’t considered proper for a lady to take employment unless she was from a working-class background.
Having started, she was initially forced to rely on untrained volunteers, and lacking knowledge herself, she was fortunate to secure the services of a well-known practitioner. A veterinary practitioner was typically someone who had been caring for horses and mules while serving in the military or had experience working on farms. They had no professional training but were a typical resort for those who could not pay a veterinary surgeon. So, having decided to go ahead, she opened her first clinic in 1917 at the height of the war in a dingy basement. The first clinic only attracted four clients, but one was a man with a limping donkey who was delighted to tell all his customers about the new service.
The clinic advertised its presence with the following sign
In doing this, she herself was forced to endure the hostility of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, who, not unreasonably, were concerned about the livelihoods of their members. Not that they had any real argument, as the impoverished folks at the time were utterly unable to afford the services of a qualified veterinary surgeon.
Her retort was dismissive.
“If you are so concerned about the proper treatment of the animals of the poor. Do the same work that we are doing instead of spending your energy and time hindering us; spend it on ending this mass of misery.”
Such was the popularity of these clinics that people braved the air raids even when the bombs were being dropped by the dreaded Zeppelin airships.
Apart from using unqualified practitioners, another reason for the hostility between the RCVS and Maria was that qualified veterinary surgeons were prohibited from advertising their services. In contrast, the charity run by Maria Dickin made a point of promoting its availability. This was an archaic rule introduced by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, presumably to prevent competition between veterinarians, giving everyone a level “playing field.” It is worth noting that before the 1950s, the majority of veterinary surgeons devoted their time to treating large animals, particularly horses and farm animals. The idea that a veterinary surgeon should even consider specialising in small animal work was a total anathema, and it isn’t easy now to envisage a world where a qualified vet rarely sees dogs, cats, budgies, hamsters and rabbits, etc. The next time you take your pet to be treated by your veterinary surgeon just give thought that Maria Dickin was one of the pioneers of the small animal clinic.
Despite the difficulties, by 1921, four years later, she had opened seven clinics treating 40,000 animals annually.
Between 1926 and 1927, Maria oversaw the opening of fifteen new clinics and three mobile clinics, which collectively treated 400,000 patients.
The hostility of the RCVS continued unabated, and the situation was further inflamed by a bequest of £50,000 from Sarah Hardy, which was used to create a modern facility that even employed a qualified veterinary surgeon. The College attempted to have it placed under their control as legally it was a “public trust” and they argued that it should be under their administration. The attempt failed.
Most people would have been content with their achievements, but not Maria. She envisioned clinics all over the country and even abroad, and these were established in Greece, Tangier, France, Romania, Egypt, and Palestine. Sadly, these no longer exist, the role having been taken over by local charities where possible.
She set up a training centre for veterinary students in Ilford.
She launched the Busy Bees club for children, which taught them how to care for their pets and animals in general. This is now known as Pet Protectors.
It is reported that the relationship between the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and Maria Dickin started to thaw in the late 1930s. Veterinary surgeons began to realise that, firstly, Maria Dickin wasn’t going anywhere and, in fact, her clinics were incredibly popular and were treating more and more small animals, particularly cats and dogs. As the donations continued to come in, Maria was able to start employing qualified veterinary surgeons.
Between 1939 and 1945, she organised the Animal Rescue Squads, which managed to rescue some 250,000 lost and injured animals during the Blitz. One of these squads included a wire-haired terrier named Beauty, considered by many to be one of the first search and rescue dogs in Britain.
Maria also created the Allied Forces Mascot Club, which provided moral boosting companionship for military personnel.
In 1943, Maria decided to recognise the courage and devotion to duty of animals that served both in the military and in civilian life.
The Dickin medal, established in 1943, is awarded to military animals for gallantry and devotion to duty and is recognised as the animals’ Victoria Cross (VC). It has been awarded on 75 occasions, plus one honorary medal.
The Gold Medal, established in 2021, is awarded to animals in civilian life for gallantry and devotion to duty and is the equivalent of the George Cross (GC). It has been awarded 31 times.
In 1929, Marie Elisabeth Dickin was awarded the OBE. This was updated to a CBE in 1948.
By the year of her passing, her charity was administering a million treatments annually.
Today, in 2025, there are 48 clinics across Great Britain, and nearly 2 million pets from low-income families benefit from this service every year.
And the name of the charity.
People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA)
“If you want something doing, do it yourself.”
Maria Elisabeth Dickin CBE
1870 -1951
With subtitle or not?