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THE DEFENCE ANIMAL TRAINING REGIMENT OPEN DAY SATURDAY, 29th JULY 2023
IWELCOME
T GIVES me enormous pleasure to welcome you to Remount Barracks for the Defence Animal Training Regiment
(DATR) Open Day 2023. This year marks the return of the Open Day after a three- year gap and we truly hope you enjoy what we have to offer.
The last 12 months have been of joy, as well as sadness for the country, with the momentous occasion of HM Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee, Her Majesty the Queen’s sad
passing and the State Ceremonial Funeral. However, where our country has come together in mourning, so too has it come together in celebration with the coronation
of our Sovereign HM King Charles III; an event watched by many millions around the globe. I reflect with pride on what our Armed Forces delivered to support State Ceremonial events and the part that our Military Working Animals (MWA) played in their success. We continue to maintain our focus on ensuring the highest level of care and welfare for all MWA at Remount Barracks and ensuring the MWA that have served our country have the best life, post-service.
DATR has seen a constant flow of milestones and events over recent years. The opening
of the new Canine Squadron Headquarters by the Colonel in Chief of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, HRH The Princess Royal. The new build won an Army Environmental Award for its innovative use of solar power and rainwater recycling. Our historic Equine Stables were also awarded a Green Plaque
by the Leicestershire County Council in recognition of its provision of Military Working Horses (MWH) to Defence since 1903.
DATR stands proudly on the edge of Melton Mowbray and remains the only regular Army unit in Leicestershire. We are hugely proud of our connection to both the town of Melton
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Mowbray and the County. I would also like to take the opportunity to express how thankful we are for the support we have received from the local community.
This year, our Open Day will consist of various interesting demonstrations in the main
arena and informative displays around the site, highlighting the DATR’s contribution to Defence. We will also showcase the fantastic organisations and charities that we work
with, to ensure the care and welfare of our MWA’s during and after service. We are also very thankful for our support from the Royal Air Force’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), which will be showcased in the form of a fly-past over the DATR.
Finally, thank you for taking the time to come and visit us. I hope that you find it both a fun and informative day and that you can walk away proud of the personnel at the Defence Animal Training Regiment and their dedicated work in support of this country and its working animals. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.
Lt Col Mike Robinson RAVC
Commanding Officer, DATR