Page 106 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
edition of the Journal the emphasis was on how the central heating had been modified to equip the lecture room with modern efficient radiators and how the library had been extended and the photo- graphic room gutted and adapted for Mallein production. This was not the usual reference to an upgrade in facilities; this change was in recognition of the significant contribution that the Aldershot based scientists had made to the development of the Mallein Test – a sensitive and specific test for Glanders, a common bacterial disease affecting Equids, including horses, donkeys, mules as well as a serious human health threat.
Appreciating the severity of this disease and the sensitivity of the research it was perhaps no wonder that some personnel found it alarming to read about the day several of the contractors were discovered eating sandwiches in the middle of a batch of Mallein cultures! The success of the Test had worldwide significance which made it equally alarming to hear a rumour that a re-planning of the garrison could have involved the removal of the Lab and Stores from the current site.4 Thankfully, a year later, the RAVC Journal was able to report that the forecast move had been postponed.
The year 1962 was also a time of political unrest in various parts of the world, and RAVC dogs and handlers were, once again, called on for their skills. Pte Ray Angwin took an interesting trip as a dog escort to Georgetown, British Guiana following the unrest caused by the Black Friday riots of 16th February 1962. He stepped into the chaos created when Peoples National Congress (PNC) rioters and arsonists took to the streets of Georgetown to loot and burn, mainly East Indian businesses, in their campaign to remove an elected Premier, Dr Cheddi Jagan and his Government.
Only a year later, the 1963 confrontation between Malaysia and Indonesia was developing and soon necessitated an expansion of the Corps to provide specialist dogs in their well-tried jungle warfare settings. The expansion was both in Officers and men and, since the need was urgent, there were ‘under’ postings, or ‘short tourings’ at home and heavy modification of training methods of both men and animals.
The increased size of the Corps was such that it was able to form, at the conclusion of the confron- tation, an experimental Unit, a small Tactical Dog Troop RAVC within the UK Strategic Reserve.5 There is more of this later as the role of Major John Clifford is explored – the man who fulfilled the role of Commandant School and Stores,
4 The Journal of The Royal Army Veterinary Corps Volume 34 No 1 Spring 1963.
5 The Journal of The Royal Army Veterinary Corps Volume 38 No 1 Summer 1967.
6 The Journal of The Royal Army Veterinary Corps Volume 36 No 1 Spring 1965.
OC Tactical Dog Troop and AVRO Eastern and Southern Commands.
The RAVC Laboratory and Stores remained the focus of the activities being reported on in the ‘60s. From supporting the BVA Congress, held in Bristol, through to the autumn of 1964 when the Unit took over the role of Export Cargo Office for the War Dogs destined for overseas. The ’School’, during 1965, reported many more refur- bishments with nine hospital-type kennels and, what was described as, a ‘truly magnificent’ dog cookhouse. The state-of-the-art facilities had tiled white walls and quarry tiled flooring and boasted all the modern conveniences of electric boilers and heating. This model accommodation for dogs sparked discussions on a facelift for the hospital too.
Opened in 1880, the ‘School’ occupied the same buildings on the original Aldershot site, had always marched with the times, and remained at that time, very much part of the ‘Army of the 60s’. For instance, it had been working on a design of a suitable air transportable kennel and, at the same time been developing tranquillising agents to maintain a dog’s peace of mind during the long trip to the FARELF.6
All of these activities supported the confidence the wider Army had in the Corps, for instance, the Journal’s mention of LCpl Pete Hepworth, who had completed a drill course and was able to support the War Dog Demonstration Team at the Birmingham Tattoo. The successes also helped to confirm and reassure all personnel that the ‘School’ would remain on its present site for several more years, and to that end the pharmacy and operating theatre were considered worth a rebuild. The extended good news was that the old station Veterinary Hospital, which had stood intact, but derelict, for many years was under construction and set to be occupied by the Royal Corps of Transport (RCT) and Royal Military Police (RMP) mounted units, whilst their stables were to be demolished and then re-built on a new site. Consequently, 1965 saw much of the Buller site filled with rubble after demolition and then reconstruction work filled the next five years. It was a relief for all concerned that the historic 1880 ‘School’ was to remain untouched while continuing to fulfil its original purpose. Also, to ‘remain symbolic of its important and proud role in Corps history’.
While maintaining the historical integrity
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