Page 75 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
well-stocked canteen – which was judged by the overboard trail of empty ’Tiger’ cans – and plenty of quality food. There’s every chance that all the enjoyment on board was captured on the ship’s closed circuit TV! The Bedivere was owned by the Ministry of Transport but operated by the British India Line (BI) therefore the comforts were well up to BI standards. But everyone agreed that: “we could have done without the ubiquitous Tannoy!”
The Corps Journal picks up this story:
The move by sea up to the Exercise area was uneventful and very comfortable. Exercise for the dogs was restricted, but we were permitted to use the helicopter deck up aft (get that!) in the early morning before the Officers were awake and again in the late afternoon. The dogs were well provided for on the whole on the forward ‘tween-deck alleyway so they had plenty of air and the sight of passing bodies to alleviate their boredom. Talking of boredom... a couple of enter- prising dog handlers started their own dhobi service to while-away the time. Sundry folk were rather startled to see LCpl Moore in the ship’s laundry, ironing “greens”, for financial gain of course.
After a couple of days at sea, the ship arrived off Marang near Kuala Trengganu, dropped its hook and proceeded to unload over the side into a landing craft. The transfer over the side of the dogs’ kennels was a bit exciting as rope slings were used around the kennels and relied rather too much on friction for them not to move as the crane took up the strain. However, we managed and the trip to shore was uneventful – thence into the Transit Area. Here a convoy was formed and off we went on the 80 mile drive to Gong Kedah. The troop arrived in its Exercise location before dark to find the Advance Party had everything laid on for us. All that remained to be done was to see the dogs settled for the night and seek our own tents.
Gong Kedah was known only to the OC and Staff Sergeant Brian Smith, but now it is well known to an increased circle of Corps acquaintances. It is on a coastal plain and is rather flat and rather dusty with scrub-like vegetation. It is also rather hot! An ideal situation for a military exercise as nobody else wants the place! However, it is only a few miles from the sandy beaches of the north-east coast and an hour’s run from Kota Bahru where there is a beach known as the “Beach of Passionate Love” – I wonder why? Except for a four-day intensive period, we were rather on a ‘pigs-back’ as regards to amenities. For instance, there was practically unlimited, supposedly fresh, water for drinking and dhobi, plus fresh rations (not compo!) for man and beast. There was a film show every second or third night, the NAAFI mobile visited twice a day to dispense liquid (soft!) refreshment and swimming parties went off nearly every afternoon. And it rained several times, so
the dust was minimal. It was most annoying having to work for our living!
The first few days after arrival were spent settling-in and getting ourselves comfortable; furthermore, there was the area to get to know. There we were required to give demonstrations of Guard dogs at work, also IP dogs working with patrols. Our IP dog, “Boots”, was in such demand that sometimes we had to send a reasonably tempered Guard dog out instead.
The tempo of the Exercise soon after arrival quickened as the enemy became more aggressive and adopted guerrilla tactics. During the intensive period, the facilities of the Troop were pretty well stretched, and sleep was rather a luxury. In addition, a POW cage was established in the Troop location, and now-and-again there was somebody in it. No one attempted to escape from there, especially with a Guard dog staring at them!
Our handlers found that there was a world of difference between the gentle tempo of the dog handlers’ course at Melton, and the real thing at Gong Kedah. Mistakes were made and corrected, and therefore a great deal was learned. However, when the question is asked: “Did the Troop do its job?” the answer is an unqualified “yes!” The ‘enemy’, a platoon of battle-hardened Gurkhas operationally trained in Borneo, failed to penetrate the Forward Mounting Area to interfere with the movements of stores and this was very much due to the presence of the ‘bow-wows’. However, the handlers found that when they met up with the enemy it was a frustrating business because when challenged, the enemy would not halt and surrender and the handlers were not allowed to loosen-off the dogs. Nevertheless, such occasions were reported, and necessary “kills” credited to Messrs, ‘Jock’ Byers, John Stanley, Geoff Warren and Bernie North... to mention but a few.
We will draw a veil over the threatened ‘free for all’ in the workshop area when kukris were drawn! But surprise, surprise! What a joy to have a couple of cases of “Tiger” from the ‘enemy’ after the Exercise to ease the pangs of frustration. To add to our problems, sickness did not leave the Troop entirely alone and at one time we had four dog handlers in hospital – the Casualty Clearing Station (the CCS) – at one time. We were a bit pushed, but we found willing helpers from our Motor Transport (MT) section that looked after the spare dogs and even took the odd stag at night on the POW cage. However, we were at full strength by the end, so all ended well. The dogs were fit enough, although “Fury” had four days off with piroplasmosis.
On 19th May it was time to go, so having previously packed-up and broken camp, MT appeared soon after breakfast to take us back to Marang and the ship. We bade a fond farewell to our rear party, namely SSgt Brian Smith and LCpls Bryan Criddle and Woolmer, RCT, and two dogs, and ‘high tailed’ it off down the
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