Page 348 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
course are thoroughly enjoying it, even the smallest girl who is about the same size as her dog and is occasionally seen wearing a look of rather grim determination.
“The dogs seem quite pleased with their new handlers, and have made no complaints so far, and as yet the horses appear unconcerned at the prospect of having WRAC grooms. When we have been here longer there will be much more to tell you.” A further comment from a male perspective offered: “In a few weeks’ time the WRAC arrivals are due, and two beautiful maidens are earmarked for the Veterinary Hospital – good old Profumo!”3 (Mr John Profumo was Secretary for War from 27th July 1960 to 5th July 1963 – and served as a Captain in the North Africa campaign during World War Two and was later promoted to Brigadier).
WRAC ‘Invade’ the War Dog Training School (WDTS):
No time was wasted in getting the WRAC personnel into their new duties.
Already the WDTS was bearing the brunt of the unexpected departure of dog trainers to Cyprus and Borneo which immediately reduced the manpower to half a dozen men. Having the female kennel maids to fill the gaps was invaluable as their assistance in continuation training proved a tremendous asset releasing the remaining training staff to other important duties.4
The WRAC ‘invaded’ 1 WDTU on 27th October 1962. One Sergeant and three privates arrived and right away gained the honour of being considered the pioneers of the first WRAC detachment of Kennel Maids/Grooms to be formed in BAOR since the 1940s. A further four WRAC ‘reinforcements’ arrived a month later and they were quickly followed by a clerk bringing the new WRAC Detachment to nearly full strength in BAOR.5
By Christmas 1962 the initial secondment of twelve WRAC personnel was working alongside the men of the RAVC at the Depot, the School and Stores as well as with 1 WDTU BAOR. The women had successfully answered the call for more ‘manpower ’ in the wake of the demise of National Service6 and were fulfilling a dual role within the Corps: as kennel maids they cared directly for the Military Working Dogs taking responsibility for their feeding, bathing, grooming, and cleaning out the kennels. As grooms, they undertook similar tasks with the horses.7
Royal Visit:
On Friday 8th May 1964, for the first time in its history, a Royal Standard flew high above the Depot. The occasion was a visit from Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, (at that time Princess Mary), in her capacity as Controller Commandant of the Woman’s Royal Army Corps. After enjoying a special lunch, Her Royal Highness was invited to conduct an inspection of the WRAC billets and visit various sections. From the comfort of the newly furnished and enlarged spectators’ balcony in the riding school, the Princess watched a demonstration of jumping and school movements by six of the female personnel headed by Captain Howard-Carter, WRAC. Much to everyone’s delight the Royal visitor ended her day by taking the time to speak to every single person in the school who had taken part.8
“They Come as Grooms – and Leave as Brides”:
John Saar, in his 1986 feature in Soldier Magazine said that in an Army advertisement that a Second Lieutenant can command the equivalent of half the Patagonian Army, it’s fair to issue the care of two horses, or up to six dogs, to each member of the WRAC. He also said that there were many times when two horses demanded more work and worry than half a dozen tanks – a point that the WRAC kennel maids and grooms were quick to confirm!
The Army’s animal headquarters in Melton Mowbray had become the home station for one of the largest detachments of the WRAC in Northern Command. In general, it turned out that the girls were delighted to be there, and the soldiers of the RAVC were happy to welcome them. It was quickly becoming apparent that the Depot’s function of training men and animals was leaning heavily on the thirty-eight girls who wore the RAVC lapel badge on their uniforms and were doing a man’s job. By all accounts their chief fan – ever prepared to sign shining testimonies on their behalf – was their Commanding Officer, the Depot Commandant, Colonel Hector Wilkins:
“Without them (the women) we should collapse”, confirmed the Colonel. “They are entirely integrated with us, and their work holds up the whole superstructure. They are given custody of weapons of flesh and blood for which they are morally responsible. The Army has no
3 The Journal of The Royal Army Veterinary Corps Volume 33 No 2 Autumn 1962.
4 The Journal of The Royal Army Veterinary Corps Volume 35 No 1 Spring 1964.
5 The Journal of The Royal Army Veterinary Corps Volume 34 No 1 Spring 1963.
6 Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Peter Roffey OBE oral testimony taken on 21st June 2016 at the Defence Animal Centre, Melton Mowbray.
7 WRAC September 1962, 116/Vet/738, AMD Archives.
8 The Journal of The Royal Army Veterinary Corps Volume 35 No 2 Autumn 1964.
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