Royal Army Veternary Corps

Surrey: Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC) – Horse Ambulance (Mark II – Converted Bullock-Cart)! (29.5.2026)

When horses were hurt (and not automatically shot) they were transported in the type of conveyance pictured above – but I think this might have been rare (new horses were acquired quicker than wounded horses could heal). At the end of WWI, many thousands of conscripted horses were gathered on the beaches of France – after serving the UK loyally (even participating in cavalry charges against machine-guns) – and instead of being shipped back to England and discharged to their owners, the UK government (probably Churchill) ordered them “shot”. The bullet was cheaper than the shipping and compensation owned. Of course, although some horses were used in WWII (1939-1945) – technology had improved dramatically and horses were not required as they were two-decades previously. From a compassionate perspective it would be good to think that all British horses had access to above level of care – but reality is not built upon fairy-tales. Only the lucky few (probably the horses of high-up Officers) were subject to this kind of care. This British Army Ambulance appears to have the battle honour of “Normandy”!