Page 117 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
fixed’, and the Unit proudly marched past, led by Major Richard Pope RAVC, with WO2 Alan Inkpen (USM), then the Standard Bearer and SSgt Pat Stewart as one of the Escorts. All this was accompanied by huge cheers from the thousands that had braved the inclement weather.
Following the March past, all participants and guests gathered, and dried off, in a marquee on Montgomery Lines to meet HRH The Princess Royal and enjoy a buffet lunch. A local brewery kindly provided everyone who marched with a celebration pack of ‘Tommy’s Tipple’ complete with commemorative glass and a free drink at the reception. After welcoming Her Royal Highness on her arrival, the Mayor of Rushmoor, presented the Princess with the RAVC Freedom Scroll and, to everyone’s delight, she duly replied as the Corps’ Colonel in Chief. During the reception Her Royal Highness was also presented with a cheque for £10,000 for the Animals in War Memorial Fund by Peter Randall MBE GM on behalf of the RAVC Association. Our royal guest of honour then accepted the opportunity to spend time with many members of the Corps, past and present, staying significantly longer than planned in the RAVC area much to the visible delight of all concerned.
Two months later, on 16th June 2004, the genuine Freedom Scroll was duly presented to Brigadier Andrew Warde QHVS. The several weeks delay in the presentation at the Rushmoor Borough Council Offices, was solely due to the short time available between the actual anniversary in April and the making of the decision by Rushmoor Council to grant the award and present the Freedom Scroll to her Royal Highness. The scroll presented on 30th April was a facsimile, which was, perhaps just as well given the dreadful weather. And it also allowed the 101 MWD Sp Unit to factor in an additional celebration!
Brigadier Andrew Warde thanked the Mayor and Members of the Council for the award, which he said: “Was a great honour for the Corps”. He followed his reply with a presentation to the Mayor of an engraved bronze figure of a Centaur, a fitting gift on a special occasion which was witnessed by members of 101 MWD Sp Unit and their families. To further mark the momentous day a Commemorative Paperweight was issued to every RAVC Officer and soldier serving in the Corps on 30th April 2004.
Admission of Honorary Freeman Royal Army Veterinary Corps.
THAT WHEREAS, the Royal Army Veterinary Corps has attained honour and distinction around the world by the outstanding achievement, dedication and skills of its Officers and men in caring for and handling animals in time of war and in all Operations during peacetime.
AND WHEREAS Units of the Corps have served within the Borough in unbroken succession since its establishment in the Camp at Aldershot in 1880, thereby establishing a close bond of friendship which has enriched the life of the Borough and its inhabitants.
AND WHEREAS the Corps has further distinguished itself in the field of research and development of vaccines for use across the Service for many years.
NOW THEREFORE, in recognition of the distin- guished Service of the Corps and in acknowledgement and appreciation of its long, close and esteemed contribution to the life of the Borough, the Council of the BOROUGH OF RUSHMOOR in pursuance of Section 249(5) of the Local Government Act 1972, hereby admits the ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS to the HONORARY FREEDOM of the BOROUGH OF RUSHMOOR and confers upon the Corps the Right, honour and distinction of marching through the streets of the Borough on all ceremonial occasions with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drum beating and bands playing.41
At the time of writing (2021) the above scroll is proudly displayed in 101 MWD Sqn at North Luffenham.
The relationship with the Borough Council was very much on display during the 150th anniversary celebrations and there was no doubt that the Mayor’s interest in the role of the RAVC went beyond an official duty. The Mayor and Mayoress of Rushmoor, Councillor and Mrs Colin Balchin, had long expressed a wish to visit 101 MWD Sp Unit and it was something the Mayor wanted to accomplish before he retired. However, due to Unit being deployed on Op TELIC the visit had been difficult to arrange.
However, on 16th May 2005, it was finally possible to host the Mayor, who was given a conducted tour of the Unit and a great deal of discussion took place over the historical importance and significance of many of the buildings. Before leaving that day, Councillor Balchin presented the Unit with a framed photograph of a garden display at Princess Hall in Aldershot. The Borough had constructed a floral tribute – in the shape of the RAVC badge – to mark the granting of the Freedom of the Borough. The Mayor also presented the Unit with a Rushmoor
41 Chiron Calling Articles dated Summer 2004.
109