Page 5 - RAVC Centenary Parade

THE ROYAL ARMY
VETERINARY CORPS
OVER 200 YEARS
Until the end of the 18th century there was no veterinary service at all in the British Army, in fact
the term veterinary surgeon did not exist. The treatment of Army horses was the responsibility of those who held a government contract to shoe Army horses and to supply medicines. It was the heavy losses of Army horses during various military campaigns in the late 18th century that led to the formation of a military veterinary service. Parliamentary debate and media attention forced the Committee of General Officers to agree to the formation of the Army Veterinary Service in 1796.
A Principal, Professor Edward Coleman was appointed and graduates from the London Veterinary School, of which Professor Coleman was the Head, began to recruit veterinary surgeon for the Cavalry
Drill Hall
On horseback
regiments. This was a time when the veterinary profession was itself in its infancy.
John Shipp was the first veterinary surgeon to be commissioned in the army. He joined on 25 June 1796 and ever since this has been deemed as the foundation day for the Corps - Known as John Shipp Day which is celebrated by serving Corps members on the 25 June each year.
The formation of a Veterinary Department in 1880 placed most of the vets under one professional direction and in 1890 Colonel James Lambert was appointed as our first Director General.
Lt Col EE Bennett a Veterinary Officer in March 1889 first proposed the use of dogs for military purposes such as guarding, reconnaissance, patrolling, tracking, searching etc. At that time in 1889 his
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