"Finally, I am not kidding when I report that soldiers from the Royal Welsh Regiment recently said farewell to one of their own, not in a sad way due to a battle death but in a happy way.
"After seven years' service, Billy the goat, whose full name is William Windsor, retired from the army amid scenes of pomp and ceremony. The nine-year-old was led into his trailer by the battalion's Goat Major in full ceremonial dress, in preparation for a journey to Whipsnade Zoo in England where he will live out the rest of his days. And, the route from his pen to the trailer was lined by soldiers from the regiment to say farewell and thank you to Billy for his many years of good service.
"Captain Nick Zorab said: 'When people hear that we have a goat among the battalion, they think we must be kidding. But having a goat among our ranks is a tradition we have had for over 200 years.'
"The history of the regimental goat dates back to the American War of Independence when a wild goat wandered onto a battlefield and ended up leading the regimental Colours at the end of the battle. In 1884 Queen Victoria presented the regiment, then called the Royal Welch Fusiliers, with a goat from her Royal herd and the tradition has continued to this day.
"The regimental goat is considered a full member of the battalion. He marches in front of the Battalion on all ceremonial duties and is much loved by all ranks.
"He has a full time carer known as the Goat Major who ensures the welfare of the goat at all times.
"Billy's replacement will shortly be unveiled when a kid will be collected from a herd on the Great Orme, north Wales."
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