Page 403 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
that many servicemen in the Falklands had much time to spare.30
Taff Carter left the Islands on 3rd October 1983 to be relieved by Sergeant Pete Breeze RAVC, another notable equitation master.
Sergeant Pete Breeze was posted to the Falklands on 24th September that year and remained in situ until late December. His first detailed report on the trial outlined that, by the end of his first month there three horses remained at Kelly ’s Garden: two of the three horses were in poor condition due to working through the winter months when winter grazing was extremely poor. The 28 year-old’s health had declined the most and the horse had to be destroyed on 16th October 1983, but thankfully the 27 year-old’s condition improved and could return to carrying supplies to the near site. The third horse, being somewhat younger, although slow was a good load carrier.
The indigenous horses when used by local farmers were worked for one day, then allowed to graze for the following three or four days before being worked again. During the long winter months horses were taken to small islands with large amounts of tussock grass and left there to winter out. Tussock grass, although an excellent feed for horses, once harvested can only be used for feed for one month after cutting. After that there is little feed value. For horses to carry out their role, forage would be required at a scale of 6lbs oats or horse nuts plus 10lbs of hay per day per horse.31
New horses were hired but they too were quite old. They began training for Pack work and given a start date for tasking in early November. The tasking of horses not only included taking spares to Rapier sites, but also carrying cable for the new telephone land lines. No helicopters or Snow Cats were available.
Ultimately and sadly, the trial was shelved due to a change in circumstances – the remote sites being relocated to more accessible positions.32 33
Pack training established at home and overseas?
Major Julia Kneale RAVC, wrote to MOD AVR from Cyprus in June 1985 outlining that one of the functions of Land Forces Cyprus was to provide training areas for Exercises, and that the
RAVC should take advantage of these facilities. Also, that due to major Sandhurst Exercises not occurring, the allocation of money for the hire of mules would possibly go unspent. She outlined the benefits of training RAVC personnel in the use of Pack Transport in the terrain available, and that the use of specialist Pack equipment would be required, and furthermore, that much work would be needed to flesh out the idea. Major J Kneale highlighted that the Cyprus Command were very much in favour of the RAVC using Cyprus for Pack work and would give their full support.34
Captain Nick M Coulson RAVC seconded to the US Army Medical Department, requested information on the use of Pack Animals for the US Army specifically for their Pack Animal Project at the Special Warfare Centre located at Fort Bragg. The US intended to run a trial using Pack animals for SF Operations and had been studying the use of yaks, camels, and elephants. He also requested if there was a more modern design of Pack equipment in use, and that he would find any information on the employment of Pack horses in the Falklands particularly beneficial.35
Overall, across the Corps, personnel were still very keen to pursue Pack Training and put in a request to the Defence Attaché in Berne, Switzerland to try and obtain the Swiss Army Training film concerning Pack Transportation. They also asked them to provide details of courses they were implementing.36 A similar request was sent to the Defence Attaché in Vienna asking for details about their new lightweight, pattern Pack equipment.37
At this point it must be stressed that RAVC personnel were still instructed on the use of Pack animals.
Colonel Durrant, then Commander Veterinary Services BAOR, suggested in 1986, when he posted as Commandant at the RAVC Training Centre, Melton Mowbray, that a three-day course be run on Pack transport familiarisation.38 The concept had the support of the Logistic Executive (Army). It was acknowledged that, ‘it was always possible for a need to arise for this form of transport in any out of area Operation, and should it arise, having an Officer with experience of the art may prove invaluable’.39
30 Soldier Magazine dated October 1983.
31 File reference 2050 Pack Horse Trial Falkland Islands by Sgt Pete C Breeze RAVC dated 1st November 1983.
32 Draft dated 21st January 1986 from HQ Eastern Command.
33 Final Report dated 9th November 1983, from RAVC Training Centre reference TC/A 10012 RAVC to MoD AVR.
34 HQ BF 29370 letter by Major Julia A Kneale RAVC dated 26th June 1985.
35 HSXR-ZV by Captain Nick M Coulson RAVC dated 24th September 1985.
36 Signal PTB Unclass dated 2nd December 1985.
37 Ibid.
38 Memo from Logistic Executive (Army) Ref, D/DGTM/18/2 Tpt 1b/3, dated 9th September 1985.
39 Ibid.
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