Page 39 - Chiron Autumn 2018
P. 39

In 1887 the Army Remount Service was set up in order to ensure the uniformity and suitability of the horses purchased for the army, and to provide their training. The Army first took ownership of the Melton Mowbray site in 1903 as part of an extensive after action review following the Boer War. It was formally designated as Remount Depot Number 3 on 1st June 1905 where it was utilised as a holding and convalescence depot for Cavalry Regiments embarked on overseas expeditionary operations.
The site’s use as a Remount Depot for horses continued after WW1 despite extensive demobilisation and reductions in animal numbers. The mechanization of the British Army during the 1930s continued to reduce the Army’s need for horses in the Second World War, although mules were still used as pack animals in rough terrain, particularly in Burma and Italy. Despite the ongoing, but reduced, use of horses the outbreak of WW2 saw a switch in emphasis from the use of horses in war to that of dogs.
Lt Col M Thompson MBE
The Old HQ camp site on Elmhurst Avenue was built in 1942 for the Airborne Division as part of the Arnhem plan, and the RAVC depot moved from Doncaster race course in 1942 following bombing, where it had temporarily been relocated as a war measure. The RAVC Hospital moved here in 1945 following extensive bombing
Military Working Dogs moved to Melton Mowbray formally in 1945 and it became the de facto ‘home of the RAVC’
in Aldershot during WW2. Military Working Dogs moved to Melton Mowbray formally in 1945 and it became the de facto ‘home of the RAVC’.
Despite the lack of a formal barracks name, the site has gone by various designations over the years, with the War Dog Training School, Welby Lane Camp,
Vet Camp, and RAVC Training Centre some of the references until its most recent title of the Defence Animal Centre (DAC). This last designation lasted from 1990 to 2017 when the Unit became the DATR, based at the DAC.
Remount Barracks accurately captures the historical connection to the origins of the site, and is as relevant today as it was back then with the procurement, training, referral and retirement of all Military Working Animals co-ordinated and delivered by the Unit on site. The CVO, RAVC Association, Melton Borough Council and wider veteran’s community have all been consulted on the selection of the revised name and all are in support. As part of the wider RAVC Centenary celebrations this is a perfect opportunity to resolve a minor naming inconvenience and finally consign the DAC connection to the annals of history. A new chapter will begin with the DATR at Remount Barracks.
What’s in a name – Remount Barracks
   Double Damned: English Tuberculosis Complex
Trevor Jones, MBE, FRSB, FRCVS.
The objective of this book is clarification of the cattle tuberculosis, badger tuberculosis and domesticated/wild animal tuberculosis problem in England.
The present cannot be understood without accurate knowledge of the past: thus the development of human understanding of the disease and its control is traced. An attempt is made to marshal the vast range of facts, with mention of misleading information and gaps in knowledge. If the truth can be hammered out, it could form a basis from which we can move forward. Various options directed at national eradication of the infection are listed, with their pros and cons.
A study of how we have dealt with and continue to deal with this problem gives an insight into how we deal with other national problems. Its place in early 21st century English culture is discussed.Badger culling is only part of a national strategy for tuberculosis eradication, but it is the cause of major conflict and acrimony within our nation.
There are 18 chapters covering politics, sociology, the badger, cattle farming, disease control by governments, foot and mouth disease, history, the current situation, pathogenesis, detection, spread, vaccination, badger euthanasia and a satirical postscript.Some points are emphasised by cartoon illustrations.
This book is guaranteed to be of interest to officers of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps.
www.troubador.co.uk Select: bookstore Search: Double Damned
  CHIRON CALLING 37
















































































   37   38   39   40   41