Research Enquiries
Royal Army Veterinary Corps
The Army Medical Services (AMS), incorporates the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC), Royal Army Dental Corps (RADC) and Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC). The history of the AMS can trace its origins from 1660, alongside the formation of the regular army: at this time the service details of all medical officers were first recorded. The Museum of Military Medicine houses the archives and artefacts of these Corps and their antecedents. The archive includes material dating from late 17th century to the present day: documents relating to the European and Imperial conflicts of the 18th and 19th centuries, the Crimean War (1854-1856), Anglo Boer War (1899-1902) and the Balkan conflicts of the early 20th century, WWI and WWII, the Korean War (1950-53) and later minor conflicts, such as the Malayan Emergency (1948-1960), Cyprus 1963-64 and the Falklands conflict (1982). These archives are open to the public for research. An appointment is necessary.
The Royal Army Veterinary Corps archives contain veterinary professional papers, some unit records, reports, diaries, plans, manuals, books and photographs. There are also copies of the RAVC Journal, published since 1929 and editions of Chiron Calling. These periodicals provide general Corps and Association news, both current and historical, obituaries and sport. The principal source for the history of the Corps are contained in three volumes: The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps Vol. I 1796-1919, (Major General F. Smith), Vol. II 1919-1961 (Brigadier J. Glabby) and Vol. III 1961-1996 (Lieutenant Colonel R G Mares MRCVS). The History of the Great War, based on Official Documents Veterinary Services, edited by Major-General Sir L.J. Blenkinsop is an excellent and detailed source for that period. The volumes mentioned above are available in the museum’s library. Some brief service details, such as promotional details, medical qualifications, postings, honours and awards, dates of birth and death of veterinary officers who served in the 19th and early 20th centuries may be found in two AVC/RAVC registers stored at the museum.