Page 250 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
carcasses waiting to be burned.
FMD Politics:
In the 1967 – 1968 epidemic, Lord Soulsby led the discussion among veterinarians, virologists, academics, and farmers. The edited, annotated and illustrated transcript considers MAFF’s State Veterinary Service procedures and organi- zation and the subsequent investigations for the 1968 Northumberland Committee, with some comparisons with the 2001 outbreak; the contri- bution of the Animal Virus Research Institute and the International Vaccine Bank for FMD at Pirbright, Surrey; the hardship endured by the farmers during the outbreak; and political aspects of the historic slaughter policy and the debate over vaccination, both in Westminster and in Europe.2
The duplicated Corps Journal of spring 19683 reported that it was not the usual problems with bad weather that curtailed the RAVC’s winter activities but, rather the devastating FMD epidemic; an outbreak unprecedented in its virulence and spread. ‘Thankfully the signs are that it is has been controlled and is on the way to eradication’ reflected the report. The RAVC Training Centre reported a cold but quiet Christmas and a New Year at Melton bound by restrictions on movement caused by FMD. It went on to say: ‘The tragic Foot and Mouth epidemic curtailed our mess functions in the later part of the year. The Annual Cocktail Party was cancelled as well as an Officers Study Day and a Regimental Dinner night in November.’ A clear underestimation of the disruption caused by what was termed at the time, – and remains as – the worst epidemic of the 20th century.
The Army Dog Training School personnel deployed in the field. Sgt Colin Brown celebrated his sub-promotion in the wilds of Cheshire with Sgt M Joslyn working on the FMD epidemic and Sgt Mick Joslyn claiming: “Borneo was never like this.” Sgt Ted Parsons was also on Control Duties with the other two at Chester. Sgt Brown on return to the Unit wanted to stay until it was all over, but fortunately his talent as a trainer was in greater need. (We later learnt that it was 8/6d an hour that attracted him). From all accounts, the Corps element did a wonderful job, but they were not exactly pleased when they returned to find themselves “quarantined” for ten days in their quarters. The RAVC School and Stores at Aldershot
reported that: “There was a period immediately before Christmas when more than half the Unit were away helping MAFF on Operation FIELD FARE.”4
Captain John Tanner did a spell at the sharp end at Chester earlier in the year with the FMD epidemic returning after five weeks to The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery for a well-earned three to four days’ rest. That was before the Troop’s training programme took up its normal rhythm.5 There was no other mention of assistance to the epidemic in the Corps Journal. Most likely, like everyone else in the country at that time, the RAVC’s personnel were relieved to see the end of the epidemic with a typical ‘least said the better’ stoicism. Everyone hoping never to encounter anything like that again in their lifetime.
What passed in the 1960s was the ravages of a disease that was to haunt the farming community for over three decades. For anyone who lived through FMD and who witnessed the brutality of the burning pyres of animal carcasses, the evil smell of death and the dense black smoke filling the skies, it was an indelible experience pushed hard back into the far recesses of the memory.
Sadly, just 33 years later the RAVC was called on again.
FMD 2001:
The first cases of FMD were noted in the spring of 2001.
Once the first outbreak had been confirmed, it spread rapidly across England carried by livestock moving through the supply chain from farm to market and onwards. The spread was more rapid mainly due to the amount of time between infection being present at the first outbreak locus, and the time when countermeasures, such as transport bans and detergent washing of both vehicles and personnel entering livestock areas, were put into operation.
As the crisis developed, MAFF soon requested the assistance of the RAVC.
A memo, dated 5th March 2001, originating from the Army Medical Directorate (AMD) to the Deputy Director Army Veterinary and Remount Service (D/DAVRS) stated that ‘All RAVC PQO, LE Officers and WOs are liable for a short (two week) detachment to MAFF.’6 A FRAGO (or order) dated 16th March 2001; MAFF officially requested the
2 The History of Modern Biomedicine. FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE: THE 1967 OUTBREAK AND ITS AFTERMATH 11th December 2001 Edited by L A Reynolds and E M Tansey.
3 The Journal of The Royal Army Veterinary Corps Volume 39 No 1 Spring 1968.
4 Foot and Mouth Disease (Op Field Fare), A/BR 2076 AVR.
5 The Journal of The Royal Army Veterinary Corps Volume 39 No 2 Summer 1968.
6 Ibid.
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