Page 11 - Chiron Calling Spring 2021

is a shortage of suitable copy for the Journal and, as we mentioned in the Autumn edition, a great deal of valuable information is lost when practical men fail to record their experiences. For example the finer points of dog training are seldom recorded in this Journal; but are passed on from trainer to trainer
by word of mouth, often becoming hopelessly distorted in the process. Tracking legends are fine, but printed information is better. To quote Smith again “Imagination cannot be substituted for facts, and facts have to be unearthed. The task is frequently laborious.” Those readers who keep their journals will notice that a large proportion of the copy is contributed by a small band
of faithful and valued contributors. More copy, with a wide spectrum of interest is required. We have the space – please fill it.
The above paragraphs or text is taken from previous RAVC Journals or Corps Magazines since 1945. Much of it is similar to that of
today in 2021, particularly nearly 60 years on the cry for more articles to support future history or too inform. It may not be Malaya, but it could be Mali or the latest ‘Tour’ or OTX, perhaps Urban Warfare with MWDs, it may not be the tracking leash but it may well be modern high tech equipment, share your experiences - good or bad, it may be an innovative veterinary technique tried and test or adapted that is ground breaking.
As a professional organisation
the RAVC has much to offer, whilst some may say we are busy there
is always a little time to put pen to paper to enlighten others on what the Corps does. The commitment
to put pen to paper to record experiences, methods, practises and events with dates and undertaken by whom is still very much needed in the 21st century as it was in the 1930s. Our commitment to our animals or our soldiers should
be duly recorded in our Corps Magazine, without which it the Corps Magazine – Chiron Calling will not exist in the future. And nor will our future history be able to be recorded.
Museum of Military Medicine
UAPDATE FEBRUARY 2021
fter considerable delay, on 16 December 2020 Cardiff Council granted planning consent for the site on Britannia Quay formerly occupied by The Tube visitor centre, and for the removal of the so-called ‘Lock keeper’s Cottage’ on a part of the land. This second consent was considered with no objection, and now the museum’s attention turns to the conditions that have been imposed. For the most part, these will need to be satisfied before construction can begin but none are unexpected. For the most part they related to site drainage and landscaping. While these are being dealt with, the museum will launch its formal fundraising plan, now that we have something tangible for fundraise against, and the development of a wider proposition focused around the museum’s archives.
Work has begun on community engagement in the Bay area, to develop the museum’s links with the people of Cardiff, as we look
to incorporate local stories into
the museum’s interpretation and displays. At the time of the planning committee some opposition to
the project was voiced in the local
press, relating both to the loss of public space and accusations in some quarters of imperialism and colonialism. Of the former, Cardiff Council is content that the public amenities provided by the new museum will compensate, while the latter appears to have been inspired by sections of the Welsh nationalist movement. It should go without saying that the museum’s focus is medical innovation and advances
in public health gained from the military experience. Part of the public engagement taking place will address these concerns.
Given the situation with Covid-19, since March 2020 the museum at Keogh Barracks has been closed to the public and staff and volunteers have been working from home
for the most part. The online
shop is still open for business, however, and orders can be placed for uniform items and gifts. Please check our website www. museumofmilitarymedicine.org. uk for details.
In spite of the present restrictions, planning for the museum’s future
is continuing, with consideration
of how digital resources can be made to work for the museum, particularly around engagement and revenue generation. One
goal is to ensure that as much as possible of the museum’s archives, drawn from across the four AMS corps, can be digitised and made available to researchers. We are also planning travelling temporary exhibitions, following on from the RADC Centenary exhibition this year. Likewise, the RAVC also
has a number of items including some Dickin Medals on display at the Carnegie Museum in Melton Mowbray. Also, work is underway on display to commemorate the work of the medical services during the Falklands War to tour next year.
When the museum reopens, we will require more volunteers to help with the collections in readiness
to move from Keogh Barracks. Some of these projects can be quite focused and will not need to take place on site. If you would like to get involved with volunteering, please contact Rob McIntosh, the Curator, on 01252 868612.
We also remain open to receiving donations from current serving personnel and from veterans. If you have archives or objects you would like to consider donating to the museum, please contact Rob on the number above.
Jason Semmens, M.A., AMA, Director
Chiron Calling / 9