- 10.00am - 5.30pm
- FREE
- Chelsea, London
- 10.00am - 5.30pm
- FREE
- Chelsea, London
A veterinary section attending to a wounded mule in Salonika, 1916
Origins
From 1796, veterinary surgeons were commissioned into cavalry regiments to care for the British Army's horses and mules. Their work had previously been carried out by contracted farriers.
This proved inadequate during the Crimean War (1854-56), where many animals died as a result of poor management and care. Following public protests, the regimental approach was eventually replaced by a centralised Army Veterinary Department in 1881.
Other ranks' cap badge, Royal Army Veterinary Corps, c1965
Army Veterinary Corps staff treating a wounded horse, c1917
Public outcry
In 1898, veterinary provision for most sick and injured animals was transferred to the same depots as the Army's Remount Service. Formed in 1887, the Remount Service was responsible for supplying replacement horses and mules.
This change was carried out against the advice of many Army vets. It soon led to a rapid spread of animal disease during the Boer War (1899-1902) and further public outcry.
In 1903, a separate Army Veterinary Corps (AVC) of non-commissioned officers and other ranks was set up. Three years later, the Army Veterinary Department was merged into it.
A horse float presented to the Army Veterinary Corps by the RSPCA, c1915
First World War
During the First World War (1914-18), the AVC tripled its officers, and the number of other ranks grew forty-fold. By 1918, nearly half of all veterinary surgeons in Britain were serving in the corps.
Engaged on the Western Front, at Gallipoli, Salonika, Mesopotamia and Palestine, it treated sick and wounded cavalry, transport and artillery animals.
It also diversified, dealing with horses that had been gassed, setting up four farriery schools, and even treating camels in the Middle East. Around 80 per cent of the animals it treated were returned to duty.
Following the Armistice in 1918, it was granted the 'Royal' prefix in recognition of its service.
Inter-war
The mechanisation of the Army meant that fewer men were needed to care for the declining number of horses. The Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC) was reduced in size in the 1920s and the Army Veterinary School, established at Aldershot in 1880, was closed.
However, horses and mules were still needed in the roughest terrain, where vehicles could not cope. And the Army continued to need vets to care for them in areas like the North-West Frontier of India in the 1930s.
Clipping head from a horse clipping machine, 1920s
Jerkin worn by Lieutenant R Parkin-Ashton, RAVC, c1941
Quiz
Captain Brian Sinclair of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps was the inspiration behind which famous TV vet?
Select the correct answer
Max King of ‘Emmerdale’
Tristan Farnon of ‘All Creatures Great and Small’
Professor Noel Fitzpatrick of ‘The Supervet’
Did you know...
Sinclair, who served in India during the Second World War, was a colleague of Alf Wight. Under the pseudonym James Herriot, Wight wrote the 'All Creatures Great and Small' novels, which were later turned into a TV series.
Second World War
During the Second World War (1939-45), members of the corps served in Palestine, Syria, East Africa, Greece, Italy and Burma. The animals they cared for ranged from horses and mules, in Europe and the Middle East, to elephants and bullocks, in the Far East.
The Remount Service was merged with the RAVC in 1942. That same year, the corps was put in charge of managing the Army's dogs.
Post-war
Since 1945, staff numbers have not dropped dramatically. The use of dogs in such varied locations as Malaya (1948-60), Northern Ireland (1969-2007), Bosnia (1992-95) and most recently in Iraq (2003-11) and Afghanistan (2001-14) has seen the care of these animals become an increasing priority.
Sniffer dogs have also been used to find drugs and other contraband.
A handler with 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, Helmand, 2006
'Buster', a search dog awarded the Dickin Medal for gallantry, 2003
Today
Many dogs serve with the RAVC's 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, which was set up in 2010. Its animals and their handlers locate IEDs, help clear routes, buildings and vehicles, and guard and patrol key installations to assist and enhance security.
The majority of equine veterinary work now focuses on ceremonial units, which retain their horses. However, the Army still occasionally uses horses and mules as pack animals in rough terrain, or where stealth is required.
The corps also continues to care for the various regimental mascots in the Army. These include goats and an antelope.
Regimental museums
The National Army Museum works with a network of Regimental and Corps Museums across the UK to help preserve and share the history and traditions of the Army and its soldiers.
Discover more about the Royal Army Veterinary Corps by visiting The Museum of Military Medicine in Mytchett, Surrey.
Explore further
