Page 382 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
CHAPTER 22
The RAVC – a Wider Integration in Defence: Becoming Indispensable
“It is imperative to have more allies, therefore it is harder to be exterminated – make allies when one can.” [Brigadier Andrew Warde CBE]
This was a wise and poignant comment from Brigadier Warde, and one that could have served as a suitable Corps epitaph.1
From the 1960s the RAVC’s links with the Infantry, Royal Engineers and RAF had become tenuous and focused almost entirely on dog training. That role inevitably came to establish its existence, and also to ensure its long-term survival. However, the vulnerability of the Corps emanated from its size as an Organisation within the greater and overarching mechanism of – Defence. The Corps was small in terms of numerical strength and therefore suffering a decline in perceived importance and had no direct link with any larger organisations within the military. It needed protection in numbers, and quickly.
Integrating with the Army Medical Services (AMS):
Brigadier Geoffrey Durrant believed strongly in, and pressed for, the Corps to be linked to the AMS.
The Brigadier maintained that in his experience, while reading Veterinary Medicine at Bristol University, there was a close association between the Veterinary and Medical colleges. When in discussions with the AMS, he mentioned that many diseases that afflicted humans were primarily animal diseases. It was also noted that the AMS were unaware of the commitments of the RAVC to the Army, for instance, the use of dogs in Northern Ireland and their effectiveness in detecting mines and other forms of IEDs and booby traps that contained explosive materials.
There were many in the Corps who were unhappy about the proposed merger, but Durrant persevered believing in the power and influence that the AMS carried and that being part of the latter would have substantial benefits for the Corps, not
least in maintaining its survival. Eventually, the AMS was won over and, though there were fears that the Corps may lose its identity, uniqueness and cap badge – this was not to prove the case.2
But this was not a battle that was easily won.
Evidently, the idea and the argument for the merger existed for some time in Durrant’s mind. He must have realised that this was not going to be an overnight win, but a win was possible if he could bide his time and, most importantly, use that time to plant seeds to inspire other members of the Corps to believe in themselves as skilled individuals and a united and indispensable Organ- isation. Ahead of the integration of the RAVC and the AMS, Brigadier Durrant, wrote to all Officers of the Corps and SNCOs on 4th July 1990 succinctly summing-up what everyone on the distribution list had to do. His long-term vision set the scene for many and given the strength and diversity of the RAVC today, those who read this letter at the time, and passed on the content, clearly did not fail.
Here is an extract of his powerful and far-reaching communication that galvanised the Corps’ self-belief:
“Customer Service”.
“The RAVC exists solely to satisfy the needs of users of our services – that is our customers.
Customer satisfaction should therefore be the first priority of all ranks of the RAVC.
Commanding Officers of Units are to ensure that this article is seen by all officers and senior ranks and they are to personally give briefings on the subject.
The provision of services is not enough; all personnel should look for opportunities to expand the range of services which we offer.
Only by making ourselves indispensable can we
1 Oral testimony, Brigadier (Retd) Andrew Warde CBE, interviewed by R McIntosh on the 10th November 2015.
2 Oral Testimony, Brigadier (Retd) Geoffrey Durrant CBE MBE, interviewed by R McIntosh on the 2nd June 2015.
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