Page 61 - Chiron Calling Autum 2021/Spring 2022

Obituaries
Julia Kneale MBE MSc BVM&S
25.10.1954 – 08.09.2021
Julia was born and lived in Surrey and always had an interest in animals. So it was no surprise when she entered The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at Edinburgh University
in 1973. Whilst there she joined the OTC, during which time she spent
2 years in the gunner section and 3 years in the Royal Engineer section, becoming a 2nd Lt. WRAC and leading the RE section. It was while she was at university she gained some of her veterinary experience at Army Dog Units both in the UK and overseas.
At that time, the RAVC was considering appointing the first female Veterinary officer, Julia was approached and offered sponsorship for her final year but felt she
would keep her options open, but following a meeting with the Duke of Edinburgh who, when he heard that she was considering applying to become the first female officer, told her to blaze a trail; or words to that effect.
She did! After graduating she applied and became the first female officer in the Corps. On completion of her short service commission she returned to civilian life but missed the Army way of life and when the opportunity arose she re-joined the Corps, eventually taking a Regular Commission. She served in Germany, Cyprus, where she was also the UN vet, Hong
Kong and the UK. She became
the OC of the NI Dog Unit. Some outside the Corps doubted whether a woman could cope with such an active and stressful command.
She showed them that she was a Veterinary Officer who knew her duty and responsibilities who just happened to be a woman. Julia was awarded an MBE for her service
in Northern Ireland. She was a Staff officer at RAVC HQ Droitwich and completed an MSc in Tropical Animal Husbandry at Edinburgh. Her last appointment was as CO at Melton Mowbray, where as well as running the unit she was involved in negotiations for the PPI for the contract for the rebuild of the unit.
Julia enjoyed all aspects of Army life. She was a keen horsewoman and also gained her expedition leader certificate. She encouraged all to take part in what the services had to offer.
On her retirement Julia began work on developing the Corps history and then became involved in setting up the DMS Museum, her watercolour of a dog handler on night patrol hangs in the museum. She also worked as a veterinary advisor for SPANA, travelling in parts of Africa and the Middle
East advising on working animals’ welfare and helping to develop training for the assistants.
For many years she worked as a volunteer at a local charity for adults with learning disabilities in their drama group, firstly as a helper but later as an “actor” giving her last performance in June this year. It gave her great pleasure.
Julia was a forthright person
and expected everyone to give of their best, but was always willing
to give people a chance to make
this happen and finding ways to facilitate this. As one of her Chinese soldiers in HKSC said of her “ Yes meant yes and no meant no – but
she was always fair.” She had a love of the English language much to the consternation of those serving with her when they were told to
go and look up a word they didn’t understand - that way they learnt.
Julia approached the treatment of the cancer in the same manner – lets get on with this this – she was riding her bicycle 4 miles 4 weeks before her death.
Alan Toseland
Many of our readers will remember Alan Toseland who died following a short period of illness in 2020.
After completing National Service in the RAVC, Alan was one of the founding members of the Melton Branch of the RAVC Association.
Alan was also the Chairman
of the Melton Branch for many years until his retirement in 2018. Alan was a dedicated Chairman of this Branch and together with his able Secretary, Roger Whittle they maintained a strong Association membership.
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