Page 28 - Chiron Calling Autum 2021/Spring 2022

The ‘Red Paw’ and its origins – a brief history
by Lt Col (Retd) Chris Ham RAVC MBE
Many of the more senior RAVC personnel will
be aware the ‘Red Paw’ was the Army Dog Unit, Royal Army Veterinary Corps, Northern Ireland (ADU RAVC NI) recognition emblem since 1974. It was used on all Unit headed paper, the Unit Flag and of course the Red Paw metal pin badge was worn in the head dress of personnel along with their Regimental or Corps cap badge.
Although the RAVC had a Commander Veterinary Services and a Staff Sergeant already in
the province, during April 1969 personnel from the RAVC Training Centre and the RAVC Tactical Dog Troop at Aldershot were requested to provide guard dogs to assist
in the security of the Internment Camp situated at Long Kesh. As ‘the Troubles’ escalated, it was obvious to Commanders that both protection and specialist dogs would play an important part in the fight against terrorist activities.
An RAVC Operational Dog Section was not set up until 1972. Its aim was to support the resident units with specialist and protection dogs. Soon it became obvious that the requirement for dog deployment was well beyond the manning
capability of the Corps at that time and consequently, volunteer dog handlers from other Regiments and Corps were trained to handle Guard dogs and assist with internal protection duties. ADU RAVC NI was officially formed on 1st May 1973. By mid-1974 approximately 180 men from over 60 different Regiments and Corps were serving with the Unit.
To unite all the various cap badges within the Unit, application was made in 1974 to the Commander Land Forces, HQ Northern Ireland, for ADU RAVC NI personnel to wear a small Red Paw emblem, 3/12ths
of an inch in size, the enamelled Red Paw bordered by a fine brass line, was worn in their headdress to the left of the Regimental or Corps cap badge. The Red Paw badge, certainly the smallest in the army was authorised by Major General Leng who later became the Colonel Commandant of the RAVC. The colouring of the paw, in red, was significant as it represented the bloody paws of dogs which were required to carry their duties often walking on broken glass from bomb damaged windows.
However, as the conflict evolved, the operational dress of military
personnel in Northern Ireland
had to adjust to suit the shifting operational posture. The beret was replaced by the combat helmet; consequently, unless there was a Military Working Dog at the end of a lead, the soldier was not recognised as being from the ADU RAVC NI.
The OC Major Phil Hobson BEM RAVC put forward a request to the General Officer Commanding HQ Northern Ireland for ADU RAVC
NI personnel to wear a Battle Recognition symbol of a Red Paw on their combat clothing. In April 1997, although not in favour of shoulder flashes the then GOC NI, Lieutenant General Sir Rupert Smith KCB
DSO OBE QGM, gave authority
for unit personnel to wear an embroidered Red Paw shoulder or tactical recognition flash measuring approx 45mm x 70mm, or on the left upper arm of their combat clothing recognising the very valuable
work completed by ADU RAVC NI personnel over the preceding years. On the 9th October 1997, Colonel TM White MBE ACOS G1/G4, HQNI on behalf of the GOC presented the first embroidered Red Paw battle recognition symbol to Corporal Jay R Rowlinson RAVC. Subsequently, all ADU RAVC NI personnel were issued the new badge of recognition.
Several years later the Red
Paw flash had to be affixed to the sleeve of the right upper arm due to direction that formation badges were to be sewn on the upper left sleeve.
The tradition of wearing the coveted Red Paw pin badge in the
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