Page 261 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
to and for how far flashed before us. As the patrol didn’t move, we decided to stay put. This proved to be a good decision as only seconds later a large herd of buffalo passed in front of us. At the patrol debrief, clarification to the meaning of this instruction was requested. It appears our decision to remain still was the correct one as any sudden movement could have resulted in stirring the herd into a stampede. So, why were we instructed to “Run for our lives”? Well, we weren’t. Over the years some soldiers’ translations from Setswana to English have taken on more of a literal, rather than linguistic, meaning. The African Buffalo, due to the course of action usually needed when confronted by one or more of them, have become known as a “Run for your life,” and on this occasion we were merely being warned of the approach of buffalo!
Most of operational familiarisation training was directed at searching vehicles passing through the border crossing points with Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The Customs and Immigration personnel were most apprehensive about having capabilities of search dogs available to them.
The use of the dog teams would greatly increase the possibility of detecting illegal substances and provide a visible deterrent. This familiarisation phase was of immense value. Debriefings were carried out and it was evident that all personnel involved gained experience and knowledge which they could not have acquired at the base area in Gaborone.
Confirmation, validation and testing all teams were conducted in the Gaborone area. This final phase included operational scenarios under day and night conditions. The training support programme concluded with a demonstration for the BDF Chief of Staff and several senior officers from the BDF HQ Staff of the use of dog teams in various Operational roles. The Chief of Staff presented handlers with certificates provided by the Defence Animal Training Centre and congrat- ulated them on the high standards that they had achieved and thanked the British Military Instructors for their work and outstanding results.
Despite its short duration, the training had been a great success and the following is a summary of achievements:
The deployment of the training team proved extremely beneficial to both the BDF and DAC personnel. The BDF are very keen to continue the relations that have now been forged with the DAC, not just in canine matters but also in equine, farriery, and veterinary training. From a personal point, the experience of using all the skills I have
acquired within the RAVC and putting them to help combat something which I feel very strongly about will surely remain as one of the high points of my career, and possibly my life. It is said: “Once you walk the sands of Africa, you will always return,” for me, there is no doubting it.14
In 1997 Brigadier Andrew Roache and WO1 Andy Pedlar conducted a follow-up visit to Botswana with a twofold aim of assessing the progress of the dog teams established two years previously and to investigate the scope of the DAC to support the BDF in matters equine which was to include farriery and veterinary care.
They discovered that the dogs’ living and working conditions were basic but they were in a fine state of health and fitness with good levels of obedience. However, a significant number of the Search dogs were failing to search and indicate correctly or were not effectively ‘read’ by their handlers. It soon became evident that there was the need for an effective continuation programme to be formulated and actioned. WO1 Andy Pedlar was able to proffer advice on problems that could be simply corrected, however, longer-term assistance was deemed necessary.
Regarding equine matters, four sites were visited; Mounted Infantry at Four Rivers and at Maun; the remount depot at Francistown and the ceremonial cavalry at the country’s capital, Gaborone. It was found that though the soldiers’ individual skills were adequate, they lacked precision in discipline and precision in mounted drills. Problems were also noted with the selection of horses by the Botswana Defence Force; that equine husbandry and fittening regimes were poor. Veterinary care was also inadequate with foot care being a major concern, for instance, overgrown hooves often resulting in stilted gaits and possible lameness. Saddlery was also found to be in a poor state of maintenance. A dairy and a stock farm were also visited.
Following the inspections, a number of briefings were conducted with the BDF and the relevant civil authorities on what to do next. The ideal scenario was for a team from the DAC to spend two years in the country. However, a less ambitious option was instigated which was to involve three aspects; Firstly, relating to the dogs, Staff Sergeant Sid Gillam RAVC and Corporal Alec Bates RAVC were to spend three-months in Botswana at the various sites, building on work of the previous team. Secondly on the equine issues, FQMS Ivan Bell RAVC and Farrier LCpl Darren Pearson LG, to
14 Chiron Calling Winter 1995/6 ‘Dog Teams to Protect Wildlife’ by SSgt Rick A Holmes RAVC.
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