This Service is under its Director, who has a Veterinary Officer to assist him. A Veterinary Officer is allotted to each Division and to the L. of C. Each of the above officers has one clerk. A Veterinary Officer is attached to each mounted unit to treat its horses. He is assisted by the Farriers in his work, and is provided with a pack horse to carry his veterinary equipment.
Hospitals for sick horses unavoidably left behind are formed at the Advanced Bases, and at the Base, where there is also a depôt of Veterinary Stores. The necessary personnel for these hospitals is provided by six Veterinary Sections, each of 2 Officers and 32 other ranks, with 83 horsekeepers. A Section can take charge of 250 sick horses. Horses when cured are transferred to the Remount Depôt.
Veterinary Officers are also allotted for duty at places where horses are landed, and with the Remount Depôts. They are also charged with the duty of inspecting cattle before slaughtering.
THE REMOUNT SERVICE
The total number of horses in the Field Force is nearly 70,000, and it is estimated that twice as many more will be required to keep up this strength for twelve months of war.
The Remount Service is formed to supply the “remounts,” or fresh horses continuously required to replace those expended in war. The Head of this Service is the Deputy Director of Remounts.
Remount Depôts are formed at the Base and the Advanced Bases, where all animals procured for the use of the Army are taken charge of, trained, and distributed to the Units. The Base Remount Depôt can receive 1,000 animals. It is managed by a personnel of 11 Officers and 337 other ranks. The strength of an Advanced Remount Depôt is 4 Officers and 112 other ranks, and each is adapted to receive 300 animals.
6. The Ordnance Services
Stores of all sorts, except medical and veterinary, are supplied to the Army by the Ordnance Services. The supply of ammunition is the most pressing service, but troops require a variety of other stores—tools and explosives, boots, clothing, equipment, and arms. Workshops are required for repairs of all sorts, especially to vehicles and harness.