William Windsor (known as Billy), a goat, was a Lance Corporal in the 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh.[1]
Biography edit
The Royal Welch Fusiliers were presented with a Kashmir goat from the royal herd in 1884, by Queen Victoria.[2] Successive monarchs have replaced the original ever since.[2]
Billy, a Kashmir goat[2] from the royal herd at Whipsnade Zoo[3], was presented by Queen Elizabeth II in 2001.[4] He is said to be friendly, and likes meeting people.[1]
Military career edit
Billy —Army Number 25232301[2]—is not a mascot, but a ranking member of the regiment.[1]
Since joining the regiment in 2001[2], he has served overseas, met royalty, and led every battalion parade[1]
His primary duty was to march at the head of the battalion on all ceremonial duties.[1] He was present for every parade the regiment has taken part in.[1]
He spent two-and-a-half years in Cyprus whilst the battalion was posted there, and has lived in Chester since their return. [1]
Goat major edit
Billy had a full-time carer during his military service, Lance-Corporal Ryan Arthur, known as the Goat Major, who ensured Billy's welfare at all times.[1][3]
Temporary demotion edit
On 16 June 2001,[4] at a parade to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's 80th birthday,[2] at the Episkopi base near Limassol, Cyprus on the Mediterranean island's south coast.[2] Invited dignitaries included the ambassadors of Spain, Netherlands and Sweden and the Argentine commander of UN forces on Cyprus.[5]
This was Billys first overseas posting, [4], and despite being ordered to keep in line, he Billy refused to obey. [4] He failed to keep in step, [5] and trying to head butt a drummer's rear.[6] The Goat Major, Lance Corporal Dai Davies, 22, from Neath, South Wales, was unable to keep him in line.[5]
Billy was marched before his commanding officer Huw James after being reported for "unacceptable behaviour" [2] and "lack of decorum".[5] He was reported through the chain of command and accused of disobeying a direct order, [5]and demoted from Lance Corporal to Fusilier.[5][1]
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.[4]
The British army in Cyprus had received a protest letter from a Canadian animal rights group demanding the army reinstate Billy as he was "only acting the goat" during the Queen's ceremony.[2]
Three months later, on 20 September [2]on the same parade ground,[2] Billy regained his rank during the Alma Day parade to celebrate a Royal Welsh victory in the Crimean War.[2]
Captain Simon Clarke said, "Billy performed exceptionally well, he has had all summer to reflect on his behaviour at the Queen's birthday and clearly earned the rank he deserves".[2]
Billy received his promotion from the Colonel of the Royal Welsh Regiment, Brigadier Roderick Porter,[2] thus regaining membership of the Corporals' Mess[2]
Retirement edit
After eight years' distinguished service,[3] Billy retired due to his age.[1]
On 20 May 2009,[3] he was led into his trailer by the battalion's Goat Major in full ceremonial dress. [1] Soldiers from the battalion lined the route from his pen to the trailer as he left the camp for the last time.[1] Billy returned to Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire.[1]
His replacement will be chosen from a herd on the Great Orme in Llandudno[1] in June.[3]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8058249.stm
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20485076-29677,00.html
- ^ a b c d e http://www.army.mod.uk/news/default.aspx
- ^ a b c d e http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_5110000/newsid_5113500/5113580.stm
- ^ a b c d e f http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5113188.stm
- ^ http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-152001626.html