Canadian Expeditionary Force (12) Canadian Army Veterinary Corps, Remount Depots, and Auxiliary Horse Company

Canadian Army Veterinary Corps, Remount Depots, and Auxiliary Horse Company

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

1997.28.425.

Canadian Army Veterinary Corps

The Canadian Army Veterinary Corps was established in 1906 with two branches. The (Permanent) CAVC and the (Militia) CAVC. The (Permanent) CAVC was designated the Royal Canadian Army Veterinary Corps in November 1919, the prefix ‘Royal’ not being granted to the (Militia) CAVC until July 1936, when, both branches adopted the same pattern badges. With the exception of the wartime period, the Canadian Army Veterinary Corps was only ever a tiny unit. The greatest establishment being at the time of  in November 1918 when there were 72 Officers and 756 OR’s serving in France, The Permanent CAVC provided administration and acted as inspectors of the Militia units as well as conducting schools and examination of officers aspiring to advance in Rank. The 1919 establishment of the RCAVC was set at seven officers and 23 other ranks. The establishment of the post-war militia CAVC being nine officers and 88 other ranks.

The Canadian Army Veterinary Department 1906 - 1912

Both branches of the Corps were established in 1906. The (Permanent) Canadian Army Veterinary Corps as a Department of the Permanent Force under the designation of the Army Veterinary Department and the(Militia) Veterinary Department as a Department of the Active Militia. The designation Army Veterinary Department was changed in 1912 to the Canadian Army Veterinary Corps.

Three officers and 24 OR’s of the CAVC mobilized at Ottawa on 31 August 1914, with this number rising to three officers and 55 OR’s training at Levis, Quebec, prior to embarking with the 1st Contingent on 3 October 1914. Both Permanent Force and Militia troops were re-attested into the CEF. On arrival of the 1st Contingent in England in October 1914 the CAVC split into two groups a base depot and CAVC stores, named No. 1 Mobile Section CAVC and No 2. Veterinary Section (A Veterinary Hospital) were established at West Down Camp); and No. 2 Mobile Section CAVC and No.1 Veterinary Section (Another Veterinary Hospital) at the Cavalry School at Netheravon. No.1 Canadian Mobile Veterinary Section crossed to France on 9 February 1915, followed by No.1 Canadian Veterinary Hospital on 3 April, this unit having been increased to 195 all ranks. The base details in England remained at around100 all ranks until 1918 when they were disbanded and the duties being taken over by the Imperial Forces. By the wars end, the total in the CAVC in France numbered 72 Officers and 756 OR’s which included the Canadian Corps Veterinary Evacuation Section. This unit was established in 1918 with one officer and 30 other ranks, rising to 38 by the time of the Armistice. The various units of the CEF CAVC were disbanded under General Order 195 of 1 November 1920.

(Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

1997.28.236.

Canadian Army Service Corps Remount Depots

A remount Depot was organized at Camp Valcartier on 1 September 1914, with temporary personnel being supplied from the militia No.5 Company CASC. The establishment of a division was 5,030 horses but with the addition of riding, artillery and draught this number had risen to 7,264 by the time the 1st Contingent sailed for England. In addition the Canadian Army Veterinary Corps supplied 27 all ranks which worked in conjunction with the CASC remounts depot. An Overseas Remount Depot was organized by the Canadian Army Service Corps at Romney in Kent England in September 1915, regimental numbers between 49770 -50000, this with an establishment of approximately 6 Officers and 30 OR’s being authorized under General Order 86 of 1 July 1915. Prior to this in France the CASC maintained 1st and 2nd Divisional Remounts Depots. In the earlier part of the war the Remounts Depot came under command of the Director General of Veterinary Services and Remounts but in 1918 most of the organization and training duties of the CASC Remounts Depot in England were taken over by the Imperial Forces. The (Overseas) Remounts Depot was disbanded under General Order 193 of November 1920.

1st Army Auxiliary Horse Company (CASC)

Initially named the 1st Canadian Reserve Park the unit was located in the Army area and carried three days of emergency food and forage for the 1st Division. Early in 1916 after the formation of the 3rd Division the units were reorganized as general purpose transportation to support the 1st and 2nd Divisions. In mid 1918, the unit was re-designated as the 1st Army Auxiliary Horse Company.

Post War

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

1997.28.1.

Royal Canadian Army Veterinary Corps

The Canadian Army Permanent Veterinary Corps was founded in 1910. The Canadian Army Permanent Veterinary Corps was redesignated the Royal Canadian Army Veterinary Corps on 3 Nov 1919. The Royal Canadian Army Veterinary Corps was redesignated The Royal Canadian Army Veterinary Corps on 17 Jul 1936. The Royal Canadian Army Veterinary Corps was disbanded on 2 Nov 1940.