Page 3 - Chiron Calling Autumn 2019

Chiron Calling
Editor:
Lt Col Abby DuBaree Regimental Secretary RAVC
RHQ AMS
Robertson House
Slim Road, Camberley, GU15 4NP Tel (01276) 412749
Fax (01276) 412793
regtsecravc@hotmail.co.uk or abby.dubaree623@mod.gov.uk
Editorial team:
Lt Col Chris Ham MBE WO1 (RSM) David Blackmore
On the cover:
MWD Display – DATR Open Day Cat Richard Harvey
Lt Karen Pettit
Military Mascots – DATR Open Day
© This publication contains official information. It should be treated with discretion by the recipient.
No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior permission of the Corps and the Publisher. Any opinions expressed in the articles in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policy and views, official or otherwise of the MoD, Army or Corps.
No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the editor or publisher. No responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised in this magazine can be accepted by the publishers or printers and all advertisements are included in good faith.
Published on behalf of the Corps by Crest Publications, 12 Brooklands Court, Kettering Venture Park, Kettering, Northants NN15 6FD. Telephone: 01536 317000 jayne@crestpublications.com www.crestpublications.com
We said farewell to Lt Col Neil Lakin RE, CO 1st Military Working Dog Regiment in July following a most successful two years in Command and we also welcome Lt Col Kay Hanson RAVC who assumed command in August. You will be able to read more about Lt Col Hanson in this edition. We wish Lt Col Hanson, her husband Steve and their two sons the very best during her tenure.
The Defence Animal Training Regiment’s Open Day in July was a great success and we congratulate the Second in Command, Major Drew Tootal and his team for all their hard work in laying on another splendid day for the local community, troops and families who attended the day. As well as the various displays, there was even a flypast from a Battle of Britain memorial flight. Maj Drew started his planning for this key biennial event at the end of 2018 and we are well aware of the additional work that he and his team undertook to plan for the day. Well done to everyone at the DATR.
This year’s RAVC Reunion was attended by nearly 200 serving, retired members, friends and families at Remount Barracks. The RAVC Association Management Committee decided to bring the Reunion date nearer to the John Shipp Day which is on 25 June, and is also recognised as the foundation day for the Corps. We were honoured this year’s Reunion by the presence of 4 members of John Shipp’s descendants. We were joined by Geoff Shipp, John Shipp, Polly Shipp and Samantha Pearson.
As ever, we are grateful for the articles from the Reservists from 101 Military Working Dog Squadron who have written some very interesting articles for this edition. There is one from Capt Richard Harvey, who features on the front cover,
about his wildlife conservation expedition in the Congo. Another one about a battlefield tour in Ypres and Sommes lead by LCpl Anthony Crocker whose day job is a teacher. Capt Tessa Muir recounts her visit to Buckingham Palace for the Garden Party. Whereas Cpl Tamara King’s experience on exchange at the US Andrews Air Force Base makes it a rare opportunity for a reservist to have helped in securing the airbase prior to President Trump boarding Air Force One. You will read that she even had a wave from the President.
We continue our feature about life in the RAVC with an interview from Lt Pettit who tells us why she joined the RAVC and how she is enjoying life as an Army Vet.
Although post Summer is always a challenge to generate sufficient articles for an edition of the magazine, I am most grateful for all the interesting articles that we have in this issue and I hope that our readers will enjoy reading them.
Finally, we congratulate Colonel Mark Morrison on his well deserved promotion to Colonel. More about Colonel Mark in the next edition.
EDITORIAL
Foreword ................................................................. 2
Change of Command – 1 Military Working Dog Regiment RAVC....................................................... 2
Conservation of Wildlife and Wilderness is something that is at crisis point................................................. 3
Military Reserve Exchange Programme 2019........... 5
Ex PRAIRIE STORM 1 ............................................ 6
On Exchange with the Royal Marines....................... 6
Exercise Scorpion Armour ....................................... 8
Mentoring Workshop ............................................... 8
Canine Social and Emotional Development 2 Day Seminar .................................................................. 9
Interview with Lt Karen Pettit – A New Addition to the Corps ................................................................... 10
DATR Working Dog Seminar.................................. 11
Op FACULAR – Edinburgh..................................... 12
Farewell to Lt Col Neil Lakin RE ............................. 12
Defence Animal Training Regiment Open Day ........ 13
Miss Mary Corr’s visit to the Defence Animal Training Regiment (DATR) ................................................... 14
The Museum of Military Medicine’s Move from
Keogh Barracks: A Transformational World Class Development in Wales ........................................... 15
RAVC Reservist educates schoolchildren............... 16 RAVC Benevolence .............................................. 16
Stay off the brakes! Army Medical Service Mountain Bike Enduro’s First Season .................................... 17
Not Forgotten Association Royal Garden Party ...... 17 Ex DRAGON CHIRON BLANC............................... 18
‘The Forerunner to 101 MWD Sqn’ A brief History of the Tactical Dog Troop ........................................... 19
103 (HQ&Sp Sqn) – 1 MWD Regt .......................... 19
The Fastnet Sailing Adventure ............................... 20
Army Polo ............................................................. 21
RAVC Golf Competition 2019 ................................ 21
Clay pigeon shooting ............................................. 21
AMS Football Tour to NewYork .............................. 22
First Blue Cross award to New Zealand war dog ... 24
The Free Spirit Horse Memorial.............................. 26
Commemoration of 75th Anniversary of D Day in Thailand................................................................. 26
Chiron Calling Book Review................................... 27 The Museum of Military Medicine Shop ................. 28 Benjamin Basil Heatley ......................................... 28 Notices .................................................................. 29
CONTENTS
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Chiron Calling The Magazine of The Royal Army Veterinary Corps
Autumn 2019