Page 76 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
road. We were aboard ship in the early afternoon and the rest of the loading was so brisk that we set sail that night. Two days later we had unloaded in Singapore and were back in Ulu Tiram by the afternoon.
The rear party returned the following weekend and a busy time ensued. The first event was that Pte Morrish’s Paludrine (an anti-malarial) gave up the struggle and malaria had, at last, got a victim from the UK. Next the stores were returned to Ordnance, the vehicles to the vehicle depot and the dog handlers back to the UK – all within a week. The dog handlers received a parting gift of a little package containing 28 Paludrine tablets to tide them over for their first month out of a malarious area.
Exercise PICOT had now come to an end, except for the final tidying up of the paperwork with the expected co-operation of the Command Secretary.
And what has been achieved?
We feel akin to the anonymous UK handler who said: “I have seen the Far East at no expense to myself and I may never come here again during my Army service. I have achieved a wonderful tan, at no expense and I have saved £56 into the bargain!”
Other exotic Exercises took place in late 1968 when D Sqn of 22 Regt SAS travelled from the UK to Grik in Northern Malaysia to carry out their escape and evasion exercise. SSgt Tony Rossell took a Tracker section up by air to link-up with the Gurkhas in order to start pursuing the ‘enemy’. “The dogs will not catch me!” Those were the last words of the SAS RSM – as he was the first one to be caught! Altogether the Tracker dogs were responsible for capturing a dozen escapees, and an enjoyable but strenuous time was had by all.23
It was heard at a Commanding Officers’ Convention: “Dogs?” Followed by a ripe Australian voice responding: “yeah, we like ‘em, and we use ‘em!”
1969 Begins a Time of Change and Reflection:
The US Army commitment to training dogs and handlers for the war in Vietnam finished in early 1969 by which time 2 WDTU had turned out nearly sixty US Army Tracker Dog handlers over a period of just two-and-a-half years. Meanwhile, the Australians and Royal Marines were still being trained in the role of Tracker and Patrol dog handler when a new opportunity came along from the Malaysian Police wanting RAVC instruction for their handlers too.
Throughout 1969, no one could not have forecast the number or the nature of the casualties inflicted by the Establishments Committee. The RAVC was
hit with a reduction in the number of courses they were running and it didn’t take long before the Corps became a wing of the proposed Common- wealth Jungle Warfare Centre. By the end of 1970, the inhabitants of Thornhill Lines had almost all moved on. However, ironically, the area was still a hive of activity, while the kennels were virtually empty.
While working to meet a high demand for Military Working Dogs and trained handlers, there was confusion and helplessness in watching the introduction of changes that were designed to reverse all that had been achieved to date. Conse- quently, it was an appropriate time to reflect and reminiscence about the previous twenty years and to recall memories of the many staff, and even more numerous, dogs that had served alongside them.
From very humble beginnings and sparse conditions emerged the modern establishment that was to influence all who followed in that part of the world. The Unit proudly created a well laid-out show piece that attracted an international band of students to 2 War Dog Training Unit. An account in the Corps Journal in the spring of 1969 puts this period into perspective:
There was the occasional anxious moment when a Section did not return at the appointed time because they had “gone off bearing slightly”, and the young, pink-faced boys eager for adventure who do their tour only to return to rural Melton as hard bronzed men. And last, but by no means least, the Corps must remember the gallant band of Malaysian Other Ranks also serving in the Unit. Those who remained as the Unit entered its twilight time, carried on cheerfully jungle bashing and going away for resettlement courses as radio mechanics, plant operators and salesman in preparation for their next career.
Sgt Marsh Revell, Cpl Jeff Henstock and LCpl ‘Geordie’ Moore, stayed behind to carry the RAVC banner in the Commonwealth Jungle Warfare Centre and carefully guard the précis and manual store against the departing pilferers! Cpls Jeff Henstock and Tom Quaile disappeared for six-weeks and returned as expert Visual Trackers. The latter skill was so much in demand that personnel were loaned to the CTT Wing as instructors. Visitors to 2 War Dog Training Unit were numerous and included the US Ambassador at the time, the Daily Telegraph and the QMG (Quartermaster General). During March and April, the few remaining RAVC personnel saw the final razing of Melton Camp to make way for a battalion-sized camp site.24
23 The Journal of The Royal Army Veterinary Corps Volume 40 Supplement Spring 1969.
24 The Journal of The Royal Army Veterinary Corps Extracts from Volume 41 Summer 1970.
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