Army Veterinary Corp

[Rayjamgor]

I have just found a birth cert for a great uncle and my Great grandfather Thomas Littles occupation is Private Army Veterinary Corp in 1916 in Glasgow. He was a Carter and I'm guessing that would be because of the horses. Never heard of the Veterinary Corp , anyone else encountered them ?

[KGarrad]

See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Army_Veterinary_Corps

(Note correct spelling! )

The brother of my 4xG-Grandfatherwas a vet, but in India.
Stayed on after the Mutiny with the Indian Stud Department.

[Andy J2022]

The Corps was bigger than you might imagine, rising to over 41,000 men in WW1. There were milllions of animals used in military service, including the obvious horses and mules, but also dogs, camels pigeons and other species.  A lot of men in the AVC were required to remain in the Army longer after the hostilities had ended, to dealt with the quarantine, repatriation and re-homing of animals brought back from overseas. Some, especially the horses, were too valuable to destroy.

[Jebber]

Before WW1 the Army had around 25,000 horses which increased to  some 600,000  during the war, there were also camels and other animals, so there was a great need for veterinary services. Even to today, think  of the horses you see in ceremonial parades. You wouldn't expect them to have to rely in civilian vets.