Page 4 - Chiron Calling Autum 2021/Spring 2022

time to enjoy the sunshine and the various adventurous training pursuits.
The history project is moving apace with Lt Col Chris Ham having completed the narrative covering the period 1961 to 2021 and the narrative is now being finalised by Izzy George who is an established author with a wide knowledge of the RAVC. Some of our readers will know Izzy from her book on the late Liam Tasker and Kenneth Rowe who were both Killed in Action in Afghanistan. Chris Ham gives an account of his work on the project in this edition. He informed me that his wife, Susan, is much relieved to have her lounge emptied of books, magazines and files once again.
I would like to thank the Adjutants and RSMs at the DATR and 1 MWD Regt for their effort in encouraging the troops to write the articles for this edition of Chiron Calling. We also thank our friends from AWAMO in Australia who continue to contribute to our magazine.
We congratulate Lt Col Claire Budge on her appointment as the Commanding Officer for 1 MWD Regt RAVC in December 2021. Claire has taken over from Lt Col Kay Hanson who had a successful couple of years as the CO. We wish both the very best on their continued journeys through their careers in the RAVC.
Lt Col Mike Robinson has also assume command of the Defence Animal Training Regiment in Melton Mowbray on the retirement of Lt Col Martyn Thompson. We wish them both and their family the very best for the future.
We also congratulate Lt Col Rob
Hart on his promotion and his forthcoming appointment as the Commanding Officer for the Army Medical Services Support Unit. We wish Rob the very best.
We will soon be saying farewell
to our Colonel Commandant, Lt General Roly Walker DSO who leaves us after his five year tenure. We wish General Roly, Kate and their daughters the very best and we are most grateful for the support and advice that he has afforded us during his tenure.
We also say goodbye to Colonel Dougie Macdonald who leaves us as our Honorary Colonel Commandant. We wish Colonel Dougie and Fiona the very best.
We welcome Colonel Neil Smith as the new Honorary Colonel
Commandant. I expect almost everyone knows Colonel Smith who held the appointment of Chief Veterinary and Remount Officer for two terms.
Finally, it is with both joy and sadness that I complete my last editorial, as I will be retiring in April 2022 following 10 years of Service
as your Editor. With the help of my editorial team and Jayne Creer at Crest Publication, we have made some radical changes to make the magazine more read worthy for our younger readers. We have reduced wastage to save money on the escalating P&P costs, and we have also been publishing an electronic version of the magazine through
the RAVC Association website.
I would like to end by thanking everyone who has contributed to
the magazine over the last 10 years, including Nigel Allsopp and our Australian friends who was a regular contributor. Lt Col Chris Ham
who has produced a wide range of articles over my 10 years and for his tireless work on the RAVC history project. I thank the CVROs, RSMs and COs for all their help, direction and cooperation. I wish you all and your family the best of health and fortune for the future.
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