Page 18 - Chiron Calling Autum 2021/Spring 2022

The writing of the RAVC History 1962-2021
by Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Chris Ham MBE RAVC
Having enlisted into the RAVC July 1977 as a Private soldier and leaving as a
Lt Col October 2014, then joining the RAVC Reserves the following year until 31 March 2022, in some respects I suppose I was well placed to write or pull together the events of the RAVC from 1962 until 2021 for the Corps history. I took on the task during mid 2020, after the first lockdown.
The writing of the RAVC had commenced some years back, but had stalled, so I was determined to get the job completed. I therefore set out an action plan to cover all the topics which needed to be recorded from the last six decades.
My first chapter was to be Op BANNER - Northern Ireland. Having served in the Province during the early 1980’s as a Cpl ‘on the ground’, during the 1990s as a SSgt licensing Army dogs, late 90s as the units 2IC and during 2007, as the very last OC, I put pen to paper. My own personal archive of notes, reports, pamphlets and with plenty of other digital info I had amassed helped tremendously. Further suggestions from Lt Col Martyn Thompson MBE, Maj Rob Hart
at the DATR and support from Lt Col (Retd) Phil Hobson BEM MBE allowed me to add further detail to the important chapter.
My next task was the earlier Malayan Emergency, with the conflict spanning from 17 August 1964 to 11 August 1966. My own experiences of the Bruneian
rainforests during 1990 were reawakened as I researched
the exploits of our heroic RAVC handlers during the 60s Emergency. Assistance from Major (Retd) Tony Rossell and plenty of trips to visit and catch up with him provided
a wealth of understanding of the notable campaign the Corps was heavily involved in.
Slowly but surely I started
to plough through the other chapters, some clearly generously proportioned in content compared to others. The RAVC’s very positive contribution but equally heart wrenching for the Corps Veterinary Officers and Senior Warrant Officers, involved in the slaughter of livestock during the Foot and Mouth disease epidemics of the 1960s and 2001, brought home vivid memories of the disease, which still occasionally inflicts the agriculture industry.
evolved and was employed to great effect locating illegal immigrants crossing from China into Hong Kong. Also with the RAVC unit
in Germany where over time, the documented focus shifted from horses in Sennelager to the huge MWD capability provided by the Mixed Service Organisation (MSO). The MSO handled hundreds
and hundreds of dogs guarding numerous key ammunition dumps scattered throughout West Germany during the Cold War. Subsequent chapters detail events that occurred
Other chapters include the important ‘Role of Women in the RAVC’. During the 1960s the role was mainly
in direct
support of the
Corps activity
worldwide,
unlike today,
with the total
integration of
RAVC female
soldiers in
every aspect
of the Corps
activities. Their
success as soldiers at home, in Germany, Cyprus, Northern Ireland, in Short Term Training Teams
and in war fighting operations, the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan have been a momentous accomplishment. Their forebears of the WRAC will be justly proud of them.
Other chapters outline the RAVC achievements and adaptability in many circumstances or countries. For example, the Sweep dog
in Cyprus as well as the happenings of the Corps for many years
at Melton Mowbray, together with the build of the new camp.
Corps activities from Aden, Belgium,
Berlin, Malta and Libya are recorded in the relevant sections. An essential chapter, the Balkans, demonstrates as so often the vital work of the Corps JNCO’s; the life blood, Cpls Rob Hart, Darren Garratt, Percy Rivers and Paul Duke who, although unknowing at the time, galvanised the long-term deployable future of the Corps. This is evident today with the formation during March 2010
of 1st MWD Regiment, Royal Army
Just some of the Soldier Magazines that needed to be viewed for information.
The MSO handled hundreds and hundreds of dogs guarding numerous key ammunition dumps scattered throughout West Germany during the Cold War
‘A day in the Office’ – more magazines, papers and documents to be read and then summarised
16 / Chiron Calling