Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Goat Major Retires

Goat Major L/Cpl Ryan Arthur of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh, leads the regiment's goat William Windsor on his retirement parade Wednesday May 20, 2009. The Royal Welsh Regiment is saying so long to a military buddy. After seven years of U.K. Army service, Billy the goat, whose full name is William Windsor, has retired amid pomp and ceremony Wednesday. The battalion has had a goat in its ranks for more than 200 years. To this day, the regimental goat marches in front of the battalion at ceremonies.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

There is an article about William on English Wikipedia.

Buck said...

Thanks for that link, Anon.

I have issues with this, though:

"As a result of his actions, Billy was marched before his commanding officer, Huw James, after being reported for "unacceptable behaviour" and "lack of decorum". He was reported through the chain of command, accused of disobeying a direct order, and following a disciplinary hearing was demoted from lance corporal to fusilier. The change meant that other fusiliers in the regiment no longer had to stand to attention when Billy walked past, as they had to when he was a lance corporal."

Stand at attention for a GOAT? I don't care if he IS a "Royal Goat..." Like I said: "issues." :D

Flag Gazer said...

I, too, got a laugh out of the link!

Having raised goats for many years, thinking of one following orders is a little much to buy into!

Kanani said...

Well, I guess it could be said that only the Welsh would have a goat in their Army. I mean, how else to get even at the English?

Flag Gazer said...

Don't forget, goats are the mascot of the US Navy, too!