Page 331 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
the RSM called upon personnel to give three rousing cheers for Her Majesty The Queen and, with that, the visit came to an end.
There was a sigh of relief that all had gone well. The months of planning and work encapsulated in the final programme had indeed ensured a smooth and very enjoyable visit to the Royal Army Veterinary Corps by Her Majesty The Queen. Long may this Most Gracious Lady continue to reign over us.39
A Very Special Weekend
The RAVC Association Reunion 1996 was part of a very special weekend at Melton Mowbray and many members of the Corps, past and present, were there.
On Friday 27th September the Corps Memorial Banner, originally part of the RAVC War Memorial at St George’s Garrison Church, Woolwich was officially rededicated in its new resting place at St Mary’s Parish Church, Melton Mowbray. In a moving service that replicated, as closely as possible the Order of Service used in 1923, the Colonel Commandant, Major General Jonnie Hall, unveiled the Banner in the name of our fallen comrades of two World Wars and since. The Act of Homage and Silence were observed as the vibrant tones of four trumpeters of the Household Cavalry filled the Church with the sounds of the Last Post and the Reveille. It was indeed a very fitting way in which to commemorate the re-location of the Banner to Melton Mowbray – the Corps’ home for fifty years past.
The Lord-Lieutenant, High Sheriff, Chairman of the County Council and the Mayor were among the VIP guests who were then entrained to lunch in the Defence Animal Centre.
In the afternoon, the Corps exercised its Freedom of the Borough of Melton by marching through the town. Led by the dismounted band of the Blues and Royals, some seventy serving and TA personnel and fifty members of the RAVC Association wound their way from the Cattle Market, through the town Centre (passing the Corn Cross and plaque commemorating the granting of the Freedom in 1977) and on to the Nottingham Road Council Offices. The Commandant, Colonel Andrew Roache, led the parade on his charger and, apart from the rifle-armed personnel escorting the Corps Standard, there was a squad handling dogs and a mounted section with the Association at the rear.
The Mayor of the Borough of Melton, Cllr Bob Hyslop took the salute with the Director, Brigadier Paul Jepson and Colonel Commandant in attendance, as the Parade entered the Market Place at the stroke of three. It was an impressive sight made even more so by the presence of the Old Comrades, marching impeccably, with pride and dignity despite, for some, their advancing years and
walking sticks for support. A valiant effort so clearly recognised by the assembled crowds who spontaneously applauded as the column passed by. A rare occasion also with several Brigadiers, Colonels and Lieutenant Colonels on the march. Afternoon tea was provided in the Council Offices at the invitation of the Mayor – rounding off a very successful Corps’ day.
Many stayed overnight and were joined by others for the Association Reunion on the evening of Saturday 28th September. A very well-attended short Service of Remembrance was held at the War Memorial outside the HQ Block at the DAC, (part of this memorial includes the marble tablets recovered from the ruined St George’s Garrison Church, Woolwich after WW2), before everyone proceeded to the NAAFI for the AGM.
The reunion dinner was held, as usual, in the Junior Ranks Dining Hall with about one hundred and sixty at table. An excellent meal, prepared and served by the DAC caterers Aramark, was taken in an atmosphere of reminiscence and comradeship which was later to continue in the WOs’ and Sgts’ Mess where those, unable to meet the demands of the NAAFI Disco, had retired. The reunion weekend concluded after lunch on Sunday when the more robust and enduring members of the Association partook of a curry at the invitation of the RSM and members of the WOs’ and Sgts’ Mess.
Thank you to everyone who attended this very special weekend and made the supreme effort to be part of such stirring and historic events. The Freedom Parade, in particular, may prove to be a unique event. The security implications at the time almost caused it to be cancelled. It was said that the Police operation was equal to that mounted for Her Majesty’s visit three months earlier and, without the tremendous support of our colleagues at the DAC – the Royal Air Force Police – it would have been impossible to meet all the military security require- ments and parade so many personnel. “In unitate valemus” the DAC motto was truly evident that day. Thank you, “blue jobs.”40
1999... A Parade in Ypres
Events on Friday 4th of June 1999 displayed the culmination of the RAVC Association’s endeavours to commemorate the memory of our fallen comrades in St George’s Memorial Church, Ypres in Belgium. It was noted by the Corps’ Council some three years ago that, along the numerous plaques in St George’s Memorial Church, the only one that seemed missing was that for personnel of the RAVC.
So, for the past 18 months, Major Peter Dalton, Chairman of the Management Committee, has been negotiating to rectify the situation. Last November, as reported in Chiron Calling (Winter 1998/99) a Corps
39 Chiron Calling dated Summer 1996 (200th Anniversary Visit by Her Majesty The Queen). 40 Chiron Calling dated Winter 1997.
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