Page 48 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
Soldier Magazine, in February 1966, covered the machinations and tensions of the Emergency situation in Aden in the article, Aden’s Dirty War:
Aden has been a British Colony, bunkering port and military base since 1839. Aden and the other states in the South Arabian Federation have been promised independence in 1968. The deal does not please the Adenis. With some cause, they fear domination by the feudal rulers of the hinterland states.
Egyptian-trained extremists of the National Liberation Front are running a terror campaign to exploit Aden’s doubts and problems. The assassination of its Speaker, Sir Arthur Charles, proved that the Aden Government overtly supported the terrorists and in September 1965 it was suspended.
Since then, the High Commissioner, backed up by the Army, has ruled Aden. With Government again in responsible hands as security forces felt a resurgence of confidence.
Not the least of the Army’s tasks has been the protection of Sir Richard Turnbull – a round-the-clock guard patrols his official residence. When the SOLDIER team arrived to interview him, credentials were carefully checked.
Sir Richard knew in detail of the formidable peace- keeping routine of the Aden Brigade. He was sympathetic and appreciative:
“They are doing a difficult job extremely well. I have admired their restraint, particularly in the hot weather when it is difficult to imagine a more tiresome and disagreeable drop for a soldier.”
He added a warning postscript: “Things are better now but the situation could get much worse. We are prepared.”6
The British Army was engaged in a vicious and punishing campaign in Aden. The “Emergency” was typical of any Internal Security (IS) situation in that it contained the usual problems of a serious lack of information, an uncooperative local population and an enemy with whom it was frustratingly difficult to come to grips with. At the same time, it demonstrated yet again the unsurpassed discipline and restraint of British troops engaged on ‘duties in the aid of a civil Power’.
The situation in Aden showed how vital it was to have the closest co-operation between civilian and military Police and Intelligence at all levels. The need to have a particular understanding between the civilian and the military arms was imperative because, like other campaigns where the Corps became involved, there could be no
decisive military outcome. Nevertheless, it had to be pursued in order to have any possible chance of achieving the long and short-term political aims.
The Emergency in Aden State remains of interest because it was a typical example of the Internal Security situation that the British Army had to face so often in the past, and which it will no doubt meet, again in the future. Aden also presented challenges in the fact that it was a hot, dusty and dangerous environment and if posted there it was expected to be an inhospitable spot on the globe, so very tough for the soldiers and animals. Cpl Marsh Revell and Pte Dave Shaw – on loan from the Tactical Dog Troop – soon proved that they could do an exceptional job with their two Tracker dogs, Gunner and Cooper, despite the extreme heat. Although tracking conditions in Aden could never be described as ideal – in truth Cpl Revell’s description of them was unprintable – both men worked hard against the odds in the most difficult conditions and proved their potential to Brigade staff. When both men returned home after a six month tour December 1966 until June 1967 on well-earned leave before returning to the Tac Dog Troop, they were replaced in Aden by Cpls Terry Hadden and Harry ‘Jock’ Aitken. Although there are very few details of their work around that time in the summer of 1968, it was reported that the men paid Cyprus a brief visit on their way back from Aden, following the troop withdrawal they left behind their Tracking dogs in Cyprus. It was hoped and expected after the quarantine period was over that the dogs would get in some good work in the comparatively better tracking conditions of Cyprus. With the return of Cpls Hadden and ‘Jock’ Aitkin from Aden, where they had served with 2 PARA, the Tac Dog Troop reported that it was back up to full strength.7 The four – Revell, Shaw, Hadden and Atkins were the only RAVC soldiers to receive the South Arabia bar to their General Service Medals.
Sgt Mick Martin and Cpl Ray Angwin were escorts to the ten dogs destined to be presented to the South Arabian Air Force in Aden. Contrary to the cries from Aden that: “All British must go”, on this occasion they decided that British was best when it came to Guard dogs and as the RAF dogs in Den were afflicted with ‘virus x’ Army dogs from Cyprus were supplied. This was just before the final withdrawal of British Troops, when it was relatively quiet and both trainers took the opportunity to get some scuba diving in during the week they were there.8 Safe to say, the brief
6 Soldier Magazine dated February 1966.
7 The Journal of The Royal Army Veterinary Corps Volume 39 No 2 dated Summer 1968.
8 The Journal of The Royal Army Veterinary Corps Volume 39 No 1 Spring 1968.
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