Page 215 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
bunker on the seafront. Having arrived with dogs, dog food and dog equipment but little other support, it was up to the two Corporals to convince Commanding Officers of the benefit of their brand of security. Quarter- masters had to be found, vehicles had to be borrowed and electricity provided for the kennels. It was a difficult task with no back-up until they were taken under the wing of support headquarters at Divulje airfield.
As units who wanted the dogs had to provide prospective handlers for training, there was sometimes a reluctance to take personnel away from their normal jobs. But dog sections were soon established with RLC establishments at Lipa and Kupres and the presence expanded to eighteen dogs and forty handlers over a variety of locations from Split to Šipovo and Sarajevo.6
The Bosnia Legacy:
It cannot be stressed enough how the deployment of the four JNCOs from Sennelager came to have such an impactful, long-term effect on the expedi- tionary role of the RAVC in the years ahead. In short – this deployment and the success of the RAVC JNCOs on it ensured the future of the RAVC.
Due to growing demand, requests were made for further handlers to be trained either at the DAC or in Germany to support later deployments. More RAVC soldiers deployed from Sennelager with Protection dogs at their side and the first Arms and Explosive Search (AES) dog – a Collie called “Shep”, made a bold entrance into theatre.
By early spring 1996 there were nineteen MWDs in Bosnia ready for SSgt ‘Malky’ Brown to take-up the mantle by replacing Cpl Rob Hart’s merry team.
Versatility has always been a word that the RAVC could live by and this was proven again in Bosnia, when Cpl Mandy Swanwick deployed to provide Mine Awareness training to military personnel in Split. As Mandy departed theatre, Cpl Di Jones accepted the task of delivering instruction to civilians as well as SFOR troops. The knowledge being shared, not only covered the capability of the mines, but also how to identify both anti-per- sonnel and anti-tank mines and how to and where to avoid the insidious devices. The training, which was delivered at “P Factory” in Gornji Vakuf by the RE, included Immediate Action Drills, which were a life-saver for anyone who managed to stray into a lethal mine field.
Major Melissa Bowerman RAVC, was the very first RAVC Officer to deploy in the role of SO3 Medical Operations (Veterinary) which was to be
a theatre-wide deployment working alongside various organisations including the Overseas Development Agency, Food and Agricultural Organisation, World Bank, all veterinary and agricultural products and other G5 (civil, military and media relations) responsibilities. In addition to being responsible for the veterinary supervision of RAVC animals, the role extended to medical duties, as delegated by Commander Medical MND (SW) and being Director Veterinary Remount Services (DVRS) Point of Contact (POC) in theatre.
Following a visit to the Former Republic of Yugoslavia a report was compiled by Major Tom Ogilvie-Graham and Warrant Officer Class One Chris Ham. The report related to the use of dogs in that particular theatre and the provision of Army dog support in Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina as necessary. It related to the support being, firstly, in conducting all training of the dogs in the theatre of Operations. And, secondly, in advising Units on the suitability of the employment of Service animals and so the most efficient way for them to be employed. The inclusion of contin- uation training, proper kennel management and knowledge of animal health in addition to bureaucratic procedures such as rations and ration accounting procedures and reports, was to serve as a vital update to DAVRS and the wider RAVC. Such reports also highlighted any training deficiencies that needed to be corrected by personnel throughout the RAVC.7
During November 1997 the successful RAVC section in Divulje Barracks was uprooted and moved in total to the Banja Luka Metal Factory (BLMF) – the home to the Stabilisation Force for NATO situated in Bosnia Herzegovina. The RAVC Dog Unit was now part of the Multi National Division (South West) and provided both Protection and Arms and Explosive Search dogs for tasking. Initially one Tracker dog was deployed but when it became clear that there was more call for the other capabilities and a lack of tasking for tracking, the dog was later withdrawn.
The new location at Banja Luka was the site of a huge metal working factory, requisitioned by the UK. The first lot of kennels at BLMF were very basic, Staffordshire-type kennels with other dogs having indoor accommodation that had been adapted from what had previously been an acid store. It was far from ideal. The barracks was also home to a number of Units including the Royal Signals, Royal Engineers, several other supporting
6 Soldier Magazine article dated circa early 1996.
7 SG/311/G3 dated 19th December 1996 RAVC Support Group, Gallwey Road, Aldershot, RAVC Archives.
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