Page 7 - RAVC Centenary Parade

the past for future campaigns. Justifiably during peace time the overall size of the Corps was reduced.
At the outbreak of World War Two, the Army Veterinary Services expanded worldwide and the members of the Corps were evident in nearly all theatres of war, particularly in Abyssinia and Italy where mountainous terrain made pack transport invaluable. The use of mules in Burma by the legendary ‘Chindits’ was possibly the most effective aid to victory in that campaign.
In 1942 the Army Veterinary Department and Remount Department amalgamated. Also in 1942 the RAVC became responsible for the procurement of dogs for all service agencies to avoid duplication amongst the other services. An Army Dog Training School was formed at Potters Bar and in the first instance only Guard, and Messenger dogs were trained, but as the war progressed other uses for dogs were established for military purposes. When the war ended in 1945, the AV&RS was charged with the overall management of Army animal resources.
The Army and animals have been associated with Melton Mowbray since 1905. In that year the Army Remount Services purchased a stud farm which had been built in 1895 together with some 400 acres of grazing land to hold and condition horses. A veterinary officer of the then Army Veterinary Corps was always part of the staff on the farm. Melton Mowbray was the last of the Remount Depot where some 8000 horses were held as an equine assembly area during the Great War. Melton became the Corps ‘home’ with the Army Dog Training School, Army Equitation
School, Army School of Farriery, Remount Depot and Army Veterinary Hospital. In 1936 a new HQ camp was built to the north of Welby Lane and was used by the Airborne Division prior to Arnhem during World War 2.
The RAVC had meanwhile developed their Depot at Woolwich. In 1942 severe bombing damage occurred and the RAVC Depot was evacuated to Doncaster Racecourse as a temporary home. This was also when the RAVC became responsible for the Army Remount Services and became directly associated with Melton Mowbray. In 1946 the RAVC Depot moved from Doncaster to take up its present home in Melton Mowbray. The Army Dog Training School was formed in Melton during 1946, under RAVC direction the role of protection and detection dogs expanded.
Throughout the 222 years the RAVC has been involved in most campaigns. Since 1945 RAVC soldiers have served in; Palestine 1946-47 with Mine Detection and Patrol dogs, Korea 1950-54 with Infantry Patrol or Scout dogs and Guard dogs, Kenya 1952-56 during the Mau Mau Campaign with IP, Tracker and Patrol
WW2 Mine Dogs
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