[Toby Purcell]

Concerning buttons, the 1906-1918/1919 period buttons come with both EVIIR & GVR cyphers. Confusingly, they have the title "Army Veterinary Service", rather than the correct Army Veterinary Corps. As regards Edward VII specifically, at the risk of making things even more complicated, all the foregoing applies to the period of his reign from 1906. Prior to that the buttons has the title "Army Veterinary Department" and the badges had a "AVD" monogram.

Prior to the 1790's there were no qualified veterinary surgeons (either military or civilian). Formal veterinary training began in 1791 with the foundation of a School of Veterinary Medicine in London.

The Army’s Veterinary Service was founded in 1796 'to improve the practice of Farriery in the Corps of Cavalry' when the public was outraged that more Army horses were lost as the result of poor care than by enemy action.

The Head of the Veterinary School was appointed as Principal Veterinary Surgeon to the Cavalry, and Veterinary Surgeon to the Board of Ordnance (responsible for Artillery and Engineers). He was also charged with the formation of the Army Veterinary Service through which a qualified veterinary surgeon was appointed to each cavalry regiment.

Veterinary surgeons were commissioned into the army, with appointments organized on a regimental basis and, as with the medical surgeons, regimental dress was worn. The Veterinary Medical Department was formed in 1858.

In 1881 the regimental appointments were abolished (except for the Household Cavalry) and an Army Veterinary Department (officers) formed followed by an Army Veterinary Corps (other ranks) in 1903. In 1906 the Army Veterinary Corps combined with the Army Veterinary Department to become a corps of all ranks, but without change of title.