Page 172 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
was reformed at the end of the war, had to be ‘put down’. He was twenty-three years old and had worked right to the end of his career. Spud had an amazing record of Service. He was a ‘prize of war’, posted to The Troop from Mecklenhorst, in Hanover, Germany, he worked in every position from ride lead to CO’s trumpeter’s horse.14
The first show in 1964 was the Royal Windsor Horse Show, where as guests of the Household Cavalry in their new Barracks, the Troop enjoyed a welcome change from the usual tented accom- modation. A shortage of stable space gave rise to the necessity for some hasty improvisation in the Riding School,15 but this did not amount to anything like a problem for the men or the horses at one of the greatest events on their calendar.
By September the King’s Troop were readied for what turned out to be a very successful trip to Copenhagen. Captain C A McGilligan RAVC, put pen to paper for the Corps’ Journal to ensure that the details of the journey, which started on 14th September, were not lost in time. His report also included his personal role on the overseas trip. He wrote:
“All in all, it was an uneventful flight from Gatwick Airport despite there being fifty horses, plus equipment, belonging to the KT RHA on board. The horses were due to take part in the Musical Drive, the highlight of the Copenhagen Military Tattoo, held during “Buy British Week.”
The aircraft was a British United Airways DC 6 cleverly converted to carry horses. Practically all the seating had been removed and double stalls constructed the length of the fuselage, with a narrow passage left down the left side of the plane. There was also a small passage between each pair of stalls, which were robustly made and adequately spaced for the horses’ safety and comfort. They horses were loaded with their heads facing the tail of the aircraft.
It wasn’t every horse’s idea of a great day out. Some became over-excited during the time the engines were warming-up and, on take-off, several fought against the pull of the aircraft as it climbed but then settled as it levelled off. For the entire two-and-a-half hour flight the horses had the company of members of the Troop who knew them well and were able to offer reassurance at the appropriate time.
While the horses were fine, Veterinary Officer, Captain McGilligan, caused some consternation at the end of one flight when he cheerfully remarked that, at one stage, he had been up in front with the pilot and at the controls for nearly thirty minutes!
Indeed, the VO spent so much of the following week at high altitudes that he claimed he had become ‘dehydrated’, and had to take frequent, large draughts of Guinness to restore his body moisture content!
On arrival at Kastrup Airport, the horses were inspected by Danish veterinary officials before being allowed to leave the runway. After passing through all the necessary checks they were watered, saddled up and ridden the remaining few miles to the stabling provided at Bedmans- straeds Barracks.
It was a peaceful start to a pleasant stay in Copenhagen which was blessed with a short list of sick and injured horses, allowing plenty of time to visit the many places of historical interest in the city and the surrounding countryside. A visit to the famous Carlsberg Breweries proved popular as did the offer for volunteers to sample the various beers brewed on site! As every traveller knows, all good things must come to an end and, as Captain McGilligan recalled: “we said a regretful goodbye to our hosts and boarded the coach to return to barracks. Many voices were raised in song and to all of us I’m sure, this was a time when Copenhagen looked beautiful indeed.”16
There was also a certain sadness attached to the keen interest shown by the local people. Many could not help bemoaning the fact that their own Army horses, kept for ceremonial use, were being reduced to a minimum and that the surplus animals were to be sold in the near future.
The weeks in Denmark passed quickly for all involved and The Troop was soon packing for the return trip.
The ‘cough’ came along in the spring of 1965. Fortunately, The Troop contracted a mild form and as it hit during a week of brilliant sunshine all the convalescent horses were able to be led out to Regents Park to get their heads down and graze in the open air. However, prudence, and the stories of other people’s errors and misfortunate, kept all the Troop horses out of the public eye and on light and increasing exercise routines for a clear month. On the ceremonial side, the Troop managed to fire all the normal Salutes, even though two were done at the walk and not the gallop, to save the horses. Also, two guns took the parade on 18th June to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.17
Two weeks or so of ‘foreign Service’ in Scotland
14 The Journal of The Royal Army Veterinary Corps Volume 35 No 1 Spring 1964.
15 The Journal of The Royal Army Veterinary Corps Volume 35 No 2 Summer 1964.
16 The Journal of The Royal Army Veterinary Corps Volume 36 No 1 Spring 1965.
17 The Journal of The Royal Army Veterinary Corps Volume 36 No 2 Autumn 1965.
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