Page 453 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
The media release reporting on the formation pa- rade included the following quotes supporting the formation of the Regiment:
“General Officer Commanding Theatre Troops, Major General Bruce Brealey, had taken a personal interest in the formation of the Regiment and is the Senior Visiting Officer on parade today.”
Commander 8 Force Engineer Brigade – Brigadier Alistair Dickinson said: “Military working dogs play a critical role in the campaign in Afghanistan. They work every day in the front line helping to keep our men and women secure. The energy and enthusiasm of the dogs is matched equally by the dedication, care and skill of the dog handlers, support team and veterinary staff. Together, they bring a unique capability to the battlefield making sure that our troops can find, avoid or dispose of improvised explosive devices. Every single member of the unit can be justly proud of this contribution and the formation of 1st Military Working Dog Regiment”.
Commander 29 EOD and Search Group – Colonel Jonathan Welch MBE commented: “The formation of 1st MWD Regt RAVC is a significant milestone. It demonstrates the vital contribution that all the MWD sub-units are making to the campaign in Afghanistan. The provision of detection and protection capabilities combined with the wider veterinary support is adding real value to current Operations, especially in combating Improvised Explosive Devices.”
CO 1 MWD Regt – Lieutenant Colonel David Thorpe LANCS added: ‘’Military Working Dogs have been at the vanguard of recent and on-going Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and are a key force multiplier across the full spectrum of Operations. The dog and its handler have a uniquely close relationship both in barracks and when deployed on operations. I have been immensely impressed by the dedication of all those involved and have witnessed the huge amount of time, personal effort, support, and resources it takes to deliver a trained dog team onto the ground in Afghanistan. The formation of the Regiment is a further step forward in generating, optimising, and sustaining Military Working Dog capability, and I personally feel incredibly honoured to be selected as the Regiment’s first Commanding Officer.”
The formation of the RAVCs first Regiment was an occasion that sparked a number of personal accounts for Chiron Calling in the autumn of 2010:
So, we are finally a Regiment!
The RAVC gained its first Regiment when 1st MWD Regt was created from the five existing support units in Germany and UK. These units were formally known as 101-105 MWDSU, but they have now become 101-105 MWD Squadrons instead.
1MWD Regt’s RHQ has been formed in Sennelager. On 26th March 2010 the formation parade took place in Sennelager and all five Squadrons were represented, on the square, ready for the arrival of Major General Brealey. All went well, although three members of an unnamed Sqn, decided to fall-out towards the end of the inspection, and they subsequently felt the wrath of WO2 Iain Carnegie.
Major General Brealey has taken a personal interest in the formation of the Regiment and he was the senior visiting officer on the parade. He said: “The formation of 1st Military Working Dog Regiment is a major step forward in the development of a key capability that is making a major contribution to operational success every day in Afghanistan.”
Following the parade there was the customary dog capability demonstration, consisting of Focus training, High Assurance Search Dog (HASD) and protection dogs. Even the new QM volunteered to get into a baiting suit, much to everyone’s approval!
Post Demonstration there was a curry lunch, with drinks, followed by the departure of all attending VIPs. That evening the first Regimental dinner was held, which went well, until Sgt (Fluff) Turnbull and I, being newly promoted Sgts, got the ‘port fines’ and it turned into an expensive evening for us both. Entertainment during the evening came from ‘cow kicking’ competitions and playing of bagpipes, by Major Hamish Denham. For the junior ranks, the legendary ‘Den’ played its part and the beer flowed through the night. Overall, an enjoyable day was had by all and I think everyone is looking forward to being part of the Regiment’s future and what it may bring to the Corps.16
1 MWD Regiment Formation Parade.
The formation parade of 1st Military Working Dog Regiment (Royal Army Veterinary Corps) took place on 26th March 2010 in Sennelager.
Many soldiers had to come from their Units in Aldershot or North Luffenham, a couple of days before in order to practise drill ahead of the parade. Corps members met each other as they boarded the plane for Hanover, before travelling two hours by bus to Paderborn.
At 0800 the next day, parade practice commenced, at Chiron Lines, it was very sunny and thus standing on parade was not too pleasant. There were lots of ‘on the parade square’ and ‘off the parade square’ as well as much drill practice. Part of the Officers’ drill was incredibly unique and most individual and quite amusing. By the end of the long day everyone was ‘spot on’. The evening we spent chilling out and preparing our uniform and footwear for the parade.
16 Chiron Calling Spring/Autumn 2010.
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