Page 68 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
now functioning is the Combat Tracker Team – a team specialised in follow-ups. Each team has sufficient firepower for its defence but is not intended as an offensive force.
This system has proven itself and is liked by both Infantry Battalions and the members of the Tracker team. We aim to train the Tracker team so that they operate in a composite and reciprocal manner – thus the Iban Visual Tracker, when he is checking for signs, is protected from surprise by a coverman. Mutuality is the keyword.
The RAVC in Borneo was very popular and well liked. 1 Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (A&SH) were very taken by Cpl Mick Josyln saying: “we shall have to devise an electronic man-collar that can be radio controlled from Singapore to ensure that [Cpl Joslyn’s] own recall or return commands are obeyed. Undoubtedly though, one must interpret the disobediences as positive evidence of the desire to have RAVC handlers responsible for all dog handlers, to meet all demands.”15
Thankfully, given the situation, several old hands returned to the section from Malaya with an eye to duty and, maybe, also an eye to the perks: “...knowing that living on a powder-keg has so many compensations – buckshee kit, free film shows, good food and cheap fags and gin. Into the bargain, there’s nothing quite like Kuching market on a Saturday night.”
Cpl Mick Josyln returned to Borneo and once again his fine work with his dog “Major” averted disaster on at least one occasion. Colleagues commented at the time: “We are glad in a way that Cpl Joslyn has now left the section for good; he has been shot at from close range so many times that fortune could not be expected to continue favouring the bold for much longer. Cpl Garnham has re-joined and is detailed in charge of the dogs in the more remote areas; away from all the temptation, apart from his beer rations of two cans per day. Sgt ‘Jock’ Hepburn is even further away in the Ulu. Cpl Pete Thorpe has returned to Malaya after a spell at Semengo Camp, Kuching where Cpl Marsh Revell rejoiced in the title of Chief Trainer in the absence of Sgt Bill Porter who, at that time, was engaged in important work supervising a Guard dog handlers’ course, Tracker training and also scrounging bits of kit for the CSM. LCpl Terry Hadden joined from 2 WDTU to take over from Cpl Revell, who was due RHE.”
However, this move was made after the Cpl had made an important advance for the team: “One of Cpl Revell’s recent tasks has been teaching an Iban
Visual Tracker – an ex-Sarawak Rangers tracker team leader – the art of handling a tracking dog. His instruction has been so effective that Mekai and ‘Roddy’ are already about the best team we have. It is hoped that handler and dog will remain together indefinitely.”
Throughout the summer of 1964 time passed quickly. The Unit had been busy training, with particular emphasis being on the tracker section, and completing handler courses for the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Royal Ulster Rifles, Royal New Zealand Regiment, Royal Green Jackets and the RAVC personnel who were posted-in. The Scots Guards were also being trained in handling techniques.
The variation of personnel being trained by the Unit meant that it had students from eight different nationalities, with the Scots holding their own through the regimental handlers’ courses. Through the Operational Dog Section, the Unit was seen to be making a first rate contribution and the call-out reports indicated that both dogs and RAVC handlers were being kept very busy. After a quick run-through their paces, the emergency reinforcements, took their place in the Section and started work. Handovers were coming from highly rated veterans such as Cpls Mick Joslyn and Marsh Revell who were put very much in the picture when it came to events and incidents.
Marsh Revell completed three arduous tours August 1962 to August 1965, (which included three separate deployments to Sarawak and Sabah), December 1969 to November 1971 and January 1972 to April 1974, the later as a Malaysian Ranger on loan service instructing and helping establish the then newly formed Dog Wing at the old 2 WDTU site.
Private Alasdair McNeill16 arrived in Singapore in early February 1964. He recalls the time very clearly: It was like a furnace after the cold of Edinburgh, and we were glad to get away from Public Duties at Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood House and Balmoral. First thing was acclimatisation training in Malaysia.
Returning to Selareng Bks in Singapore, I was called to see the Colonel Malcolm Wallace who said to me that he had received excellent reports of me working with HM the Queen’s horses at Balmoral and went on to explain the planned formation of a Combat Tracker Unit, to help us overcome the Indonesian insurgents. Then he said to me, ‘I would like you to be the Tracker Dog handler as you are good with animals.’ So, off to 2 War Dog Training Unit RAVC I went for a three-month course.
15 The Journal of The Royal Army Veterinary Corps Volume 35 No 2 Autumn 1964.
16 Ex RAVC WO2 Mr Alasdair McNeill served in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and RAVC.
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