Page 531 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
Biography
Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Ham MBE RAVC
Christopher Ham RAVC joined the Army in 1977. He successfully completed his Infantry training at The Queens Division, Bassingbourn, before joining the RAVC Training Centre at Melton Mowbray. Shortly afterwards, he was posted to 1 Army Dog Training Unit in Sennelager, where he received his first promotion to Lance Corporal. On completion of this first posting, he returned to the RAVC Training Centre as an instructor. His first Op BANNER tour followed working as an Arms and Explosive Search Dog handler, which allowed him to experience service in all parts of the Province. After a successful two years, Chris returned to Melton Mowbray where he was pro- moted to Sergeant. He was fortunate enough to be selected to represent the RAVC on Exercise LONG LOOK in Australia. On returning, he was posted to Sek Kong, Hong Kong, and was a Pla- toon Sergeant of 30 Hong Kong Chinese soldier’s responsible for apprehending illegal immigrants crossing the Hong Kong – Sino border. Towards the end of this posting, Chris was selected to at- tend the Jungle Warfare Instructors Course with Training Team Brunei, where he spent 6 months as an instructor before being promoted and post- ed on his second Op BANNER tour, where he was responsible for the Operational effectiveness and validation of 175 Military Working Dog teams in the Province. On promotion to WO2, Chris re- turned to Sek Kong, where he assisted in the rap- id ‘draw down’ of the Unit. Here, he took the op- portunity to successfully influence the MOD in the establishing of RAVC instructors and MWDs with Training Team Brunei. On return to the UK on promotion, Chris was posted to the RAVC Di- rectorate and responsible for the validation and assurance of MOD Dog Working Dog Teams.
In December 1997, WO1 Chris Ham was selected for commissioning, and so as Captain he became 2IC of the Army Dog Unit in Ballykelly. After serving there for three-and-half years, an early advancement to Major accompanied Chris being appointed Officer Commanding the Canine Division at the Defence Animal Centre. In that position he influenced and was instrumental in the first of many RAVC uplifts
in manpower to meet the growing Operational requirements of MWDs. On completion of this posting, he returned to Sennelager to become Officer Commanding 102 Military Working Dog Support Unit to implement the re-roling and creation of an Operational and deployable Unit. During his time in Sennelager, he took the opportunity to serve in Iraq from September 2005 – January 2006. He completed a four-month tour in Afghanistan during 2007. Following this ‘short touring’, Major Ham assumed command of the Army Dog Unit in July 2007 and oversaw the Army Dog Unit NI disbandment in August 2007, its relocation to North Luffenham and the formation of 104 Military Working Dog Support Unit: its Operational re-roling and successful deployment to two Operational theatres, Iraq and Afghanistan. In May 2009, Chris was posted to the Joint Service Dog Training School at the Defence Animal Centre, again as Officer Commanding.
Major Ham was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June 2010 for his work in ‘championing’ the MWD capability, and the formation of the 104 MWD Support Unit.
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