Page 6 - Chiron Calling Autum 2021/Spring 2022

and experience across the Corps. Moreover, there is real passion
and innovation from all ranks to strengthen and widen the capability our animals deliver, and to improve their health and welfare.
Transformation activity across Defence and the Army has been substantial over the last year. Whilst some details have yet to be ‘inked in’, I write this Foreword confident that military working animal and veterinary capability continue to
be valued. The future of the Corps and both our Regiments, the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment
and the Defence Animal Training Regiment, post the Integrated Security Review now seems secure, at least until the next review. There will be a small reduction in the number of RAVC personnel, but this is proportionate to reductions across the wider Army and will occur through ‘natural wastage’. A new Operating Model across the Army has now been implemented. This has delivered governance changes for animal and veterinary capability, as well as hierarchical change
for RAVC personnel in the Army Headquarters. Despite nervous moments, RAVC staff capacity within the Headquarters remains largely intact and the governance changes should benefit the development and delivery of health, welfare and utility of military working animals. At a Defence level, animal health and welfare
has also been strengthened. Now formally incorporated into the new Healthcare & Medical Operational Capability Functional Strategy under Director General Defence Medical Services, this provides a 3* Functional Owner for animal health, welfare and veterinary services, finally addressing an historic absence of senior accountability
for these functions. In parallel, the governance of animal capability sits under the functional ownership of DCDS (Military Capability). RAVC staff in the Army Headquarters (along with the RAVC more generally) serve to maintain a healthy tension between these two Masters.
We will very shortly arrive at the 4 / Chiron Calling
end of an era. After a decade as
our Regimental Secretary, Abby DuBaree is stepping down into retirement. This is a tremendous loss and a great sadness for the Corps. Within these pages, as Editor of Chiron Calling throughout this time, Abby’s leadership and support to the Corps has been tangible and visible. However, it has been only a tiny part of what he has done for us. A rock during a period of significant change, he has worked tirelessly
to strengthen the institutional foundation of the Corps and has brought warmth and humanity to the role of Regimental Secretary. His support to past and serving members has been constant and he leaves an extraordinary legacy of achievement behind him. I reflect on some of his successes, which include the new RAVC memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum,
a whole series of celebrations for
our Centenary in 2018, including a Parade through Melton Mowbray attended by some 10,000 people,
the Corps’ presence en masse at
the unveiling of the War Horse Memorial at Romsey by our Colonel in Chief and his tireless efforts to arrange for the next volume of the Corps history to be written and published. Behind the scenes, Abby has transformed the fortunes of the RAVC Charitable fund. This has grown markedly in value through careful management, whilst also delivering increased levels of benevolence to veterans and support to serving members. Membership of
the Association has grown three- fold and he has sustained close contact with veterans and their families. He has also enabled wider engagement with veterinary and charitable institutions, not least the PDSA, who through the award of the Dickin Medal, have recognised the contribution of some of our most loyal animals. In all respects, we owe Abby an enormous debt
of gratitude. It therefore remains for me to say a heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to him, on behalf of all past and serving members of the Corps, for his immeasurable and selfless contribution over so many years.
There have been other important changes within the Corps besides our Regimental Secretary. Rather than repeat what he has eloquently written, I echo his words and offer both thanks to the outgoing Deputy Colonel Commandant and RAVC Commanding Officers for their loyal support to the Corps and a welcome to their successors.
As I close, I must say that I never cease to be amazed by the quality, enthusiasm and innovation of
our people and their dedication
to keeping our animals healthy,
fit and effective. I also recognise that I can only touch the surface
of all the great work and activity that is going on across the Corps in this Foreword. I remain grateful, therefore, for the contributions to Chiron Calling that gives us that sense the breadth of activity that are people are engaged in. Please keep them coming.
The Household Cavalry Musical Ride bids farewell to Lieutenant Colonel Thompson RAVC