Page 279 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
the three young officers Capt Helen Dickenson, Capt Harvey Carruthers and Capt Richard Norris and wish them all success in their new careers and look forward to seeing them again.11
Another Continental TA Training camp was held from 9th – 17th February 1991. It was a competition between two sections of the TA organised by the DASU to test all aspects of the TA dog handlers’ military as well as dog handling skills. The event was marked by the presentation of the BAOR DASU RAVC Challenge Trophy which that year was presented by Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Warde to ‘blue’ section which comprised LCpls Ingram and Whitefield and Ptes Eggleston and Riley.
Making such a great impression inspired Soldier Magazine, in June 1991, to carry a report on the success of the TA training and commended the Unit as follows: “Another thriving Unit is BAOR DASU RAVC (V) with 36 members commanded by Lt Barry Gibson, and trained and administered by QMSI WO2 Dougal Douglas. The soldiers are from various walks of life as ex-servicemen and members of the Mixed Services Organisation who handle dogs in their full-time employment. The Unit’s role is to provide section commanders, trained to take certain RAVC responsibilities and assist in handling military dogs where they are required in BAOR, and to train and integrate Reservists on transition to war.”
The article went on to describe that: “All soldiers had to complete a fourteen day dog handler course, learning care, maintenance and continu- ation training of Army protection dogs. When this was completed, they received further training on the employment of specialist dogs for explosive and drug searches. They also learn basic veterinary treatments. As their role requires them to work with other Units, they exercise frequently so that their skills can be put to good use.”12
TA handlers were successfully trained and administered by RAVC QMSIs, including Dave Holden, Pete Douglas and Graham Carter. During late 1991, Cpl Mark Harrow and his RAVC colleagues of the TA also took part in various Escape and Evasion Exercises together with the Regular element of BAOR DASU RAVC.
Through September – October 1991, Cpl Mark Harrow took part in three Exercises teaming-up with Cpl Steve Faulkner to work closely with 28 Engineer Regiment RE from Hameln. Deploying
11 Chiron Calling, Issue No 6 December 1990.
12 Soldier Magazine dated June 1991.
13 Oral testimony Mark Harrow 28th January 2021.
14 Chiron Calling ‘article’ dated Winter 1994/1995.
15 Chiron Calling Notes Winter 2002/2003.
twice to the Soltau Training Area and exercising with the Royal Anglian from Celle in the Möhnesee and Sauerland region, the teams consisted of two handlers and two dogs – that is Infantry Patrol dogs and Tracker dogs. According to Harrow: “many a fond memory was had.”13
It was in June 1994 that it was announced in Parliament that the entire Continental TA was to disband by 11th November 1994.14 This included the RAVC’s only TA Unit of soldiers based at Sennelager at the Defence Animal Support Unit. The closure of the Continental TA Units in the mid-90s was another casualty of the cut in Army manpower levels hastened by the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall. This was to become a familiar reason for losing Units and personnel.
Disbandment of the Unit took place on 8th October 1994. Although none of the initial intake were with the Unit, seven personnel who joined in 1986 remained. For the benefit of readers, the following were awarded Adjutant General’s valedictory letters; Williams, Francis, Taylor, Harrow, Hayes, McConaghy and Whitfield. The Unit, and its thirty-three personnel would be sadly missed. It was also sad that the 92/93 training year was one of the record attendances by the TA. Exercise assistance to outside Units was always oversubscribed by volunteers and that became something that the external Unit beneficiaries missed as the TA soldiers left.
These stringent defence cuts also saw HMG disbanding Home Defence Planning. Many RAVC TA Officers had cut their military teeth “down the bunker” on twice yearly Exercises with the Police, Fire and Ambulance Services and Local Government Officers defending the UK population against the Russian invader!15
TA Military Working Dog Unit
Throughout this same period the RAVC TA service was being explored, regarding the formation of a TA MWD Unit.
One important aspect of this proposal was that TA handlers might maintain their dogs at home, something other Reserve Forces in other Allied Armies were doing successfully and cost-effec- tively. The result being that a fully-trained MWD unit would be ready for immediate deployment for Home Defence. The exciting possibilities for
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