Page 442 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
small church, was packed to the brim as Padre James McWhirter led the proceedings. After the service, all relatives and friends were conveyed to the 20/20 Club at St George’s Barracks where, as the Officer Commanding 104 MWD, I had the pleasure of addressing all present. It was the moment to cover all the key subjects such as communication to theatres, equipment successes, and training, and the processes of R&R and several other pertinent topics. Personnel were then given the Unit’s Welfare Deployment Booklet and the first of the Unit Op Newsletters to keep friends and families informed of events in Iraq, Afghanistan, and North Luffenham. After this everyone braved the biting cold wind to view, with interest, a demonstration of the Unit’s working dogs. The Unit had taken the opportunity to invite 49 (East) Brigade, plus a reporter and photographer so that local girl/boy ‘home town’ stories could be taken for the handlers deploying.
Everyone returned to the 20/20 Club for a much-needed hot buffet and much chat. The more adventurous then attended a ‘training’ session in the Training Wing, and many tried their ‘marksmanship’ skills on the Dismounted Close Combat Trainer, or the Army’s fantastic laser range with ‘real’ Army weapon systems. The ‘budding snipers’ then returned to their billets to make ready for the evening function, again to be held in the NAAFI. The evening was a great success, with many parents commenting on how proud they were of their young soldiers deploying and what an interesting day had been had by all.
The next day, the Unit was representing the Royal Army Veterinary Corps at Crufts, The World’s Greatest Dog Show. Here many of our handlers shared their expertise in handling their Military Working Dogs and talked to members of the public about their forthcoming tours of duty overseas.
Upholding the standing of the Army or 104 MWD Sp Unit in Society is very much one of the Unit aims, and it is hoped that a further function can be held later, once 104’s personnel have returned from Ops, to coincide with the opening of the new kennels.1
The success of deploying personnel to two separate theatres of war from 104 Military Working Dog Support Unit came at a very high cost, one military working dog team Lance Corporal Kenneth Michael Rowe RAVC and his arms and explosive search dog Sasha were sadly killed in action, during a fierce fire fight against the Taliban, whilst attached to the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment on 24th July 2008.
Lance Corporal Rowe and Sasha found numerous IEDs; their outstanding work together no doubt saved the lives of many others.
1 Chiron Calling dated Summer 2008.
2 Chiron Calling dated Winter 2008/Spring 2009.
DAVRS Visit to 104 MWDSU – 2009
Proud to be able to show off the new kennels, at last, LCpl Amy Wheeler and Pte ‘Russ’ Russell recall the visit by DAVRS – Brigadier Tom Ogilv- ie-Graham MBE RAVC – in January 2009.
We started preparing for DAVRS’ visit when we got back from New Year’s leave. First we had to work with some new dogs, posted into the Unit from the DAC, to make sure they met the required standard to be part of a demonstration for DAVRS.
Next, we had to set up a field HQ and accommodation on the airfield at North Luffenham. Those of us who have been at 104 MWD Sp Unit for a while were well versed in putting up tents and cam nets. However, some of the newer members of the Unit had to learn fast, especially when stitching tents together! They quickly got the hang of it though, and we had the tents erected and fully cammed-up in no time. Then it was time to set the field kennels up and get them suitably camouflaged. Once all this was done, then it was time to start practising our different roles within the capability demonstration.
On 16th January, with the Unit personnel in place for their parts in the demo, DAVRS arrived with the OC at the kennels. Firstly, DAVRS was shown around our newly built kennels by Sgt Craig Ide and shown some photos of the Unit when we deployed on Op HERRICK and Op TELIC last summer. The demonstration then started with Pte Dan Watkins, and an IP dog, Rabb. Sgt Craig Ide gave DAVRS a brief on the IP dog’s capabilities.
After a discussion with Pte Dan Watkins DAVRS moved on to see VS dog Shai being worked by LCpl Debbie Caffull. A brief and running commentary was provided by LCpl Amey Wheeler. Shai worked very well and left the Brigadier impressed by the VS dog’s capabilities and how the handlers presented themselves. DAVRS was then shown around our HQ tent, field kennels and accommodation tents to get an impression of how 104 MWD Sp Unit operates whilst in the field. Cpl Arran Bezant gave DAVRS a brief on the field HQ and the different stages of kennelling which can be used on Operations and Exercise.
The demonstration then moved onto the Patrol dog and its capabilities. Pte Will Brown and Patrol dog Zara were the Patrol dog team. Whilst patrolling, Zara picked up the presence of an intruder. As the intruder was not heeding the handler’s warnings, Zara was released. After a rapid chase, Zara gave a solid bite and apprehended the intruder. Pte ‘Russ’ Russell then briefed DAVRS on the Patrol dog’s capabilities. Brigadier Tom Ogilv- ie-Graham then chatted to the troops before heading back to Camberley, thoroughly impressed with what the Unit had achieved in a little less than 18 months after its move from Ballykelly during August 2007.2
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