Page 129 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
(John) Clemenger, WP (Bill) McLaren, S (Scott) C Moffat and finally Andrew Higgins.
All the VOs worked hard to persuade the authorities that the importation of live animals into Dhofar, and their random distribution into the province to mix with local animals, could prove disastrous. Foot-and-mouth disease, anthrax, rinderpest, bluetongue, and many other formidable and contagious diseases, often rampant in parts of Africa but not yet seen in Oman, had every possibility of becoming established and consequently decimating the entire local animal population. Eventually, the Governor or Wali (the Wali of Dhofar, unlike other Walis in other provinces, was an important government figure with Cabinet rank) agreed to a three-week quarantine period for all imported live animals. Quarantined animals had to be killed at the Quarantine Station and no live beasts would be permitted through the wire until they had completed their period of isolation. The local military (the Askari) were told to deal severely with any infringements.14
The benefits of having such trustworthy veterinary advice did not go unappreciated in the Dhofar community. After receiving a visit, on 21st May 1974, from HM Ambassador to Muscat, the CGS commented: “they (the Omanis), would like a replacement vet from the RAVC as the civilian one is a washout!”15
It is understood that SAF CGS General Tim Creasey acting on a request from the Sultan arranged for Andrew Higgins to be transferred to the Reserve and he became RARO Class 1. This was with the support and encouragement of DAVRS, Brigadier Harry Orr. The vets were responsible for the horses in the Royal Stables, and there was genuine concern that the civilian vet appointed to replace Andrew Higgins as the last military vet, would not be available to care for the Sultan’s horses and other animals as Dhofar province’s veterinary needs in a rapidly developing arena were considerable. As General Tim said to Andrew Higgins, ‘Hearts and Minds must also extend to His Majesty’. So it was, that at the end of his tour Andrew Higgins left the RAVC and took up the role of the Sultan’s Veterinary Officer in a civilian capacity.
By 1975 Op STORM, and with it, the war, was in its closing stages. The conflict, which had started 10 years earlier, was a rebellion that had been inspired, armed, and financed by Communists whose aim was to overthrow the Sultan and
14 Ibid.
15 Loose Minute to ASD2 dated 22nd May 1974 at AMD Archives. 16 The Guardian Newspaper dated 11th January 2001.
gain control of the Gulf. It was a relatively short campaign on the world stage, but played badly, it could have had dire consequences for all involved. It was the polyglot nature of the forces involved that made it such a fascinating and potentially explosive piece of combat history – Iranian and Jordaniantroopswereregularforces.TheShah had committed hugely to the campaign in terms of men, air support and vehicles, King Hussein’s engineers were largely responsible for creating the famous Hornbeam Line.
British, Pakistani, Iranian, Dhofari irregulars fighting the insurgents, the Adoo, which were also a multi-national outfit. Looking at the Dhofar Campaign simplistically, it evolved into a contest between some two thousand guerrillas versus the Sultan’s Armed Forces which were aided by UK Forces and Iranian and Jordanian military personnel. And all conducted under a veil of international secrecy due to it taking place during the Cold War, which meant neither the Western governments, nor the Communist powers of Russia and China, wished to disclose their involvement.
And finally...
On 10th January 2020, Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Arab world’s longest-serving ruler who had a reputation for quiet diplomacy, died at the age of 79. He will be remembered for his devotion to the development of Oman into a stable and prosperous nation, and as a father-figure who sought to improve the lives of the Omani people.
Oman, a former British protectorate in the Arabian Peninsula, had been ruled by Qaboos since 1970. While he brooked no dissent, fighting off Dhofar rebels with assistance from, amongst others, the British military (notably 22 SAS), and several hundred contract officers from the UK and many other countries. Qaboos ruled with a lighter hand than many Gulf leaders and so managed to transform the country from a backwater where slavery was legal, and only six miles of paved road existed, into a wealthy modernised state.
On the death of the Sultan, his cousin, Haitham bin Tariq al-Said, inherited the unique and powerful position of Sultan of Oman (Monarch and Head of State). He was sworn into the position on 11th January 2020, ending decades of speculation over who would succeed the popular ruler. Haitham previously served as Minister of Heritage and Culture,16 and so had maintained a constant view of the politics and the people of the
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