Page 4 - Chiron Autumn 2017

Founder’s Day 8th June 2017 – The Royal Hospital Chelsea by Cpl Andy Miles 1 MWD Regt
It was an early start from the Defence Animal Training Regiment (DATR) to reach our destination. The Royal Hospital Chelsea, as most will know, is a retirement home and nursing home for some 300 veterans of the British Army; a 66-acre site located on Royal Hospital Road in Chelsea.
Our planning and preparation paid off as we arrived in good time; despite the London traf c constantly trying to hold us back, rst-class timely decisions made by WO1(CRSM) Rowles resulted in us arriving well in time for the parade. We were honoured to observe our RAVC pensioners, Mr Ted Parsons and Mr David Hawthorne, parade on this Founder’s day and be reviewed by His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex.
Even though the weather conditions were not the nest, it failed to dampen the spirits or professionalism of those participating in the clearly well-rehearsed parade, or those of us fortunate enough to view it.
The ‘old boys and girls’ de nitely still maintain the Values and Standards of the British Army to the highest of levels. After the parade we managed to catch up with Ted and David for a spot
of lunch. Spirits were high and refreshment was plentiful! A big well done to all the pensioners at Royal Hospital Chelsea for putting on such a well-executed parade and a tremendous thank you for inviting us to share such a wonderful day with you all. Such an honour and I would thoroughly advocate attendance at such a tremendous event.
The Royal Hospital is now preparing to care for Army veterans of the future, who’s mental and physical health needs are likely to be much more complex. After being awarded ‘Outstanding’ status from the CQC (an accolade that only 7% of Care Homes across the country are awarded), the Hospital is seeking to share its knowledge with other veterans organisations and would like to provide guidance and help for veterans living in care homes across the nation. Loneliness is a big factor in declining health and the Royal Hospital would like to support their peers in health and social care. By sharing their knowledge, they hope to prevent older veterans from becoming increasingly lonely and isolated and to live better lives for longer.
2 CHIRON CALLING
It is a great honour to be appointed as Head of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps for the second time, and to be re-appointed by Her Majesty as Queen’s Honorary Veterinary Surgeon. Although I am lling the roles alongside another post, I am looking forward to it.
There is much to look forward to. 2018 is the centenary of the Corps receiving its Royal pre x, and there are a range of activities planned to commemorate this important milestone. Clearly the RAVC is very different from the Corps at the end of World War One; at its peak half of all UK veterinary surgeons were in Army, now its less than 1%. Instead of caring for horses our main role is delivering military working dog capability, and it’s a role that is recognised as still very
much needed. However the principles of putting the health and welfare of animals at the forefront of what we do is still very much extant.
I recently attended the PDSA Dickin Medal presentation to Mali, and the media response to the story shows quite clearly both the public’s love of dogs and that the fact they are properly cared for really matters.
My intent is to meet as many RAVC personnel as often as possible, and have already done two Phase 2 pass-out parades and the Corps Reunion. I am looking forward to working with our Colonel Commandant and the Commanding Of cers to ensure the RAVC goes from strength to strength into our next century.
Chief Veterinary Of cer’s Foreword
By Colonel N C Smith QHVS BVetMed MSc MDA MA FRCVS