ANZAC Day – New Zealand Veterinary Corps

This ANZAC Day, we’d like to commemorate the veterinarians who served, transporting, treating, and caring for the animals of war.

The New Zealand Veterinary Corps (NZVC) was part of the New Zealand Division during the First World War (WWI), formed in 1907. During WWI, NZVC comprised a small number of qualified veterinarians as commissioned officers, along with blacksmiths and farriers, groomers, teamsters and wagoners, and were essential for military operations.

They were first required to oversee the purchase of suitable horses, and their transport to Europe and North Africa, while also training others to care for horses. A total of 9,988 horses were shipped overseas during WWI with many passing through a camp just outside Palmerston North, which was a base for receiving gifted and purchased horses. New Zealand horses were widely recognised as being of exceptional quality.

Veterinarians were required to treat the animals of war including dogs, horses, camels, donkeys, and carrier pigeons. Despite being overwhelmed by the number of animals they had to treat, the vets provided exemplary service, with only 2 percent of the animals succumbing to illness or disease.

“In a military force so dependent on horse power, the New Zealand Veterinary Corps was a small but vital part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force of the First World War.” Glyn Harper, Professor of War Studies.