Page 335 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
invited to parade to represent the work currently being conducted by the RAVC around the world.
Lt (now Capt) Matt Clark led the 101 MWD Sp Unit and ADU NI contingent, along with their stripped down Land Rover, commanded by Sgt Stu Rowles. 102 MWD Sp Unit was led by Lt (now Capt) Claire Budge and wore desert combats to represent the fact that the Unit is currently on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Parade also included a veteran’s contingent made up of representatives from the RAVC Association (Melton Branch) and Royal British Legion, which was commanded by Lt Col (Retd) Peter Roffey DL. The band, which led the parade through the town to the delight of the spectators, was provided by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas.
The salute was taken by the new Melton Borough Mayor, Mrs Pam Possnett, along with Brigadier Andrew Warde QHVS, and the Senior and Junior Town Estates representatives. The event was made even more poignant by the fact it was Brigadier Andrew Warde’s last opportunity to take the RAVC salute before he completes his tenure as DAVRS, and that the Parade Commander, Colonel Tom Ogilvie-Graham MBE, has been selected to succeed him.
On completion of the parade all the honoured guests, RAVC Association and Royal British Legion members and families were invited back to the DAC, where they were entertained to a musical, marching and dance display by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas, at their very best.47
2010... Army School of Equitation (ASE)
Some of you, who are not so old, may appreciate a little history lesson.
There were many names given to the various members of the Defence Animal Centre all linked to their given trades: the ‘Puppy Walkers’ (Dog Trainers), ‘Scab Pickers’ (Vet Techs), ‘Metal Benders’ (Farriers) and, last but certainly not least, we come to the Army School of Equitation’s Instructors – the ‘Neck Benders’.
It is not all pony patting and feeding them polo mints, because the staff at the ASE have had an eventful year. The following is an insight into the activities that take place within the equine world of the DAC.
One of the longest courses is held in the School – covering six-months of the calendar year – is the Advanced Military Equitation Course (AMEC); there is the Competitors Course, Veterinary Technician Equine Training, Tri-Service Training, Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR), Duty-man upgrading and Pack Animal Transportation. The two London mounted units also have an attachment at the ASE to carry out equine and staff training, for a six-month
47 Army School of Equitation (ASE) Chiron Calling dated Summer 2007. 48 Chiron Calling dated Winter 2009/Spring 2010.
period, during the winter.
Other events, such as the Royal Tournament Show
Jumping and Skill at Arms (the finals used to be held at Earls Court in London up until 1999) and a One Day Event (Dressage, Cross Country and Show-Jumping), which is held at the end of the AMEC. The procurement and disposal of all military working horses is on-going throughout the year at ASE.
When the courses have been completed and the events held, the staff use this vital time to carry-out rehabili- tation training with the horses that may not be making the grade, needing specialist attention, or those felt unsuitable for their intended employment. They are then evaluated, in order to see if they can be employed elsewhere within the Service. The horses also have a summer break, for a few weeks, in-between courses. To get the horses prepared for the next AMEC, they go through an eight to twelve week build-up process.
Farewell was said to the only DAC mule, ’Alfred’, who, after giving us eleven years of service, has been retired to a home of rest for horses, to see out his days. As some of you were aware he had a partner in crime, “Barleycorn”, who has also retired to the same location after she served seventeen years. They both served as Pack Transportation animals and have been an asset to the DAC and they well deserve their retirement.48
Why aren’t there any crows left in Melton?
For some time now, the issue of environmental training and battle inoculation has challenged the DAC’s trainers. The dilemma is simple; how best do we prepare MWDs for their future operational role and what provides the nearest environmental training for them? And, how accessible is it?
Personnel in the Field Units will have come across the excellent electronic Firing System, commonly employed by the Infantry for Battle Inoculation of its soldiers in pre-deployment training. It is expensive and restricted to select locations. With that ruled out, there is always the iconic starter pistol, which for some time provided the substitute noise for the anything the Taliban could throw at us! It was clearly time to move on and find a credible training aid that was loud enough at close quarters to replicate some of the battle sounds and be free from bureaucratic restrictions that hinder any training involving blank ammo or pyrotechnics.
The Chief Trainer first set about the production of a Battle Inoculation CD that was quickly incorporated into the Procurement Cell’s early assessments. Admittedly this did not replace battle noise, nor was it intended too, as one would expect, but it did indentify some dogs that would require further training in this area early on. Its main problem was that it was restricted to mains
327