Page 336 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
power and this did not lend itself to training in the rural setting. Secondly and after some frantic planning, the CT organised the ‘Bangalore2000Broadside’ from an engineering company in Cambridge. Therefore, with intrigue the Chief Trainer WO1 ‘Malky’ Brown and SSgt Al Smith set out to view the demonstration of the ‘crow scarer’ first hand.
On arrival at the bird-less factory, the gas pipes were connected and the firing began. At that moment we realised that we had found part of the solution to our battle inoculation problems. The crow scarer rever- berated across the countryside in its salvo mode. Once in place at Melton it was trialled extensively in various training areas; most sections employing it to good effect. It was even incorporated into the Class 3 final training exercises as mortar simulation. Carefully fired outdoors it provided training sections with an effective battle noise level. For added effect it was fired in the Romney shed to deliver a louder explosion/detonation noise for the more advance trained MWDs.
Again, it was effective and gained credible results. There is no real substitute for actual battle noise, shouting movement or stress, nevertheless it is an excellent first step in the preparation of MWDs for operations and one that the field units can build upon rather than initiate.49
2013... Visit of RAVC Colonel in Chief,
HRH The Princess Royal
On 28th of October 2013, the Defence Animal Centre played host to Royal Army Veterinary Corps Colonel in Chief, HRH The Princess Royal, for the grand opening of the recently completed Kennel Facility.
We knew from the outset that a visit of this magnitude would attract a demonstration that would surpass any other in recent times. The preparations and rehearsals for this event would take weeks of planning if it was going to achieve the standards expected by our Colonel- in-Chief. We were tasked with providing a Military Working Dog Demonstration that would be unique and better than any other we had practised during recent visits. Once the template for the visit had been agreed, the hard work perfecting it began.
Rehearsals for the demonstration commenced several weeks before with alterations observed on almost a daily basis. The direction was simple........It had to be flawless. Each MWD Handler wanted to be a part of this opportunity to show our dogs off to the best of our ability and to the grandest of audiences.
The demonstration itself commenced by showing off the Young Military Working Dog project in the form of some basic ragger work which was used to highlight the drive and focus required for progression as a Military Working Dog. This discipline would seamlessly progress
to a display of the same dog conducting an exercise on the focus wall. On completion of the focus wall, I would immediately be introduced to conduct a short display of Off-Leash Obedience and Agility with “Spinner”, a High Assurance Search Dog.
The demonstration then naturally progressed and would provide The Princess Royal with a sample of the various classifications trained at the Defence Animal Centre with a scenario, linking each discipline together.
Positioned in front of the marquee, two vehicles would approach a makeshift checkpoint and would be stopped. A search of the vehicles would be conducted by a Vehicle Search dog. Once the dog had given a positive indication on the rear vehicle, one of the occupants fled the scene. This led to the Police Dog conducting a track to locate the whereabouts of the fleeing occupant. The track was followed up and lead to the discovery of the occupant who had immediately rushed from the checkpoint. The Police Dog would then be released and carry out a ‘Stand Off’ just in front of where the Princess would be positioned. Whilst this part of the demo was unfolding, a High Assurance Search Dog would conduct a route search in close proximity to the vehicles. The positive indication of the dog resulted in the second occupant alighting from the vehicle in an aggressive manner and a Protection Dog was then immediately be released to detain him.
Although the demo was the main effort for Canine Training Squadron in the weeks preceding the visit, there were still plenty of other jobs and fatigues required on the journey to perfection. Tents needed to be erected and dismantled for each rehearsal, before being stored away from the prevailing wind and rain associated with a cold October in Melton Mowbray.
It wasn’t just the cleaning and maintenance of areas proving difficult to manage. Due to the inconsistency of the weather, an ‘inclement weather programme’ would have to be instigated. There was no way that Her Royal Highness would be placed in harm’s way by standing under a 12’ x 12’ tent that could possibly take off without notice. The inclement weather programme, destined to take place in the Romney Shed, would also require just as much attention as Plan A. This ensured that each time we practiced the demo; this was immediately followed up by a run through of Plan B.
On the Friday before the Visit, there was still a large list of jobs that needed completing if we were to achieve the result that we all wanted. This meant that more areas required cleaning and the concrete plinth to hold the plaque for the grand unveiling needed cementing into place. This was coupled with the need to find the missing RAVC Ensign before anyone could finish work for the weekend.
Plaque in place, RAVC flag found and last demo rehearsal done, it was time to relax over the weekend
49 Chiron Calling ’Why aren’t there any crows left in Melton?’ Winter 2009/Spring 2010.
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