User:Chzz/goat

William Windsor (known as Billy), a goat, was a Lance Corporal in the 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh.

Biography
The Royal Welch Fusiliers were presented with a Kashmir goat from the royal herd in 1884, by Queen Victoria. Successive monarchs have replaced the original ever since.

Billy, a Kashmir goat from the royal herd at Whipsnade Zoo, was presented by Queen Elizabeth II in 2001. He is said to be friendly, and likes meeting people.

Military career
Billy &mdash;Army Number 25232301 &mdash;is not a mascot, but a ranking member of the regiment.

Since joining the regiment in 2001, he has served overseas, met royalty, and led every battalion parade

His primary duty was to march at the head of the battalion on all ceremonial duties. He was present for every parade the regiment has taken part in.

He spent two-and-a-half years in Cyprus whilst the battalion was posted there, and has lived in Chester since their return.

Goat major
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.

Temporary demotion
On 16 June 2001, at a parade to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's 80th birthday, at the Episkopi base near Limassol, Cyprus on the Mediterranean island's south coast. Invited dignitaries included the ambassadors of Spain, Netherlands and Sweden and the Argentine commander of UN forces on Cyprus.

This was Billys first overseas posting,, and despite being ordered to keep in line, he Billy refused to obey. He failed to keep in step, and trying to head butt a drummer's rear. The Goat Major, Lance Corporal Dai Davies, 22, from Neath, South Wales, was unable to keep him in line.

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 and accused of disobeying a direct order, and 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.

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.

Three months later, on 20 September on the same parade ground, Billy regained his rank during the Alma Day parade to celebrate a Royal Welsh victory in the Crimean War.

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".

Billy received his promotion from the Colonel of the Royal Welsh Regiment, Brigadier Roderick Porter, thus regaining membership of the Corporals' Mess

Retirement
After eight years' distinguished service, Billy retired due to his age.

On 20 May 2009, he was led into his trailer by the battalion's Goat Major in full ceremonial dress. Soldiers from the battalion lined the route from his pen to the trailer as he left the camp for the last time. Billy returned to Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire.

His replacement will be chosen from a herd on the Great Orme in Llandudno in June.