Page 7 - Chiron Spring/Summer 2023

initiative. Although, several years later as the CT I was able to reinstate the trial, which ultimately saw RAVC handlers posted to Brunei, a posting that endures to this day.
WHEN YOU COMMISSIONED AND WHAT WAS YOUR
FIRST APPOINTMENT?
During 1998, I left Aldershot as WO1, and was then commissioned and posted to NI as the Admin Officer, this was another great posting working with many good soldiers from the RAVC and first rate Regimental handlers that all went to make up the Army Dog Unit.
WHAT WAS THE MOST CHALLENGING JOB YOU HAD? The challenge of re-locating the Army Dog Unit from NI to North Luffenham and then setting it up, completely from scratch: with no infrastructure, less an empty office block, no kennels, no weapons,
no equipment, no vehicles and no civilian staff. These all presented challenges, particularly as everyone had to train and prepare to go to two different theatres of wars, Iraq and Afghanistan within seven months. The task was accomplished on time with impressive team work from all those part of 104 MWD Sp Unit at that time.
DID YOU SERVE AWAY
FROM THE RAVC AT ALL?
Yes, in Brunei, also in the Logistic Brigades, although in an RAVC unit I was answering to the Logistic Brigade chain of command entirely. I also served as a Lt Col with 2nd Medical Brigade, and with the Royal Engineers at Minley as the UOR Project Manager to ensure
the delivery of several hundred extra MWDs and their handlers
to Afghanistan to counter the IED threat.
DID YOU ENJOY YOUR EXTERNAL POSTINGS?
Yes it’s a great opportunity to show case the RAVC and be an ambassador for the Corps, at the same time being part of some very impressive developments for the Army on operations.
HOW LONG DID YOU SERVE
IN THE REGULAR ARMY?
37.5 years, before I had to leave, however I was lucky enough to join the Army Reserve. Where on my first role was to oversee the formation of the very first RAVC Reserve Sqn, at
1 MWD Regt. With a fantastic team of personnel, both military and civilian, the squadron was quickly established and soon had a waiting list of potential recruits waiting to join the new Sqn.
IN YOUR LONG CAREER YOU MUST HAVE SEEN SOME CHANGES, WHAT ARE THE STAND OUT CHANGES
THAT YOU CAN RECALL?
Besides all the changes in clothing and equipment, which has developed immensely, training methods of the actual dog has become more scientific and sophisticated resulting in improved performance. Many years ago the majority of protection dogs at the end of their service were sadly euthanised. Thankfully nowadays military’s working dogs undergo an extensive training program before being retired and successfully re- homed into a civilian environment. At the very start of my career, females were only employed as ‘kennel maids’ and were not allowed to train dogs; the integration of the WRAC into the RAVC which allowed them to train and handle dogs was much over due. Some of the best handlers I have ever seen are the RAVC female handlers on tour, who were operational on the front line,
predominantly in all areas of Iraq and Afghanistan; they completed a fantastic job working their trusted MWDs in extremely dangerous conditions.
YOU WERE THE INDIVIDUAL WHO GOT THE HISTORY OF THE RAVC COVERING THE LAST
60 YEARS RECORDED, WHY SHOULD WE READ THE BOOK? Hopefully I have encompassed many events and achievements of the RAVC over the last six decades, with over thirty different chapters with
a blend of personal stories, reports, articles etc. which accurately reflects the past. This is one reason why it is important to document events and activities and then record publicly
in Chiron Calling so that others can read and enjoy. Bear in mind Chiron Calling is in some ways the first draft of the RAVC’s future history!
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE NOW YOU HAVE
BEEN SELECTED AS THE RAVC ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN?
I will endeavour to do my best to continue to support and promote the Corps.
Lt Col (Retd) Chris Ham has recently taken up this role for the second time as RAVC Association Chairman and his appointment is very much welcomed.
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