There is a long, proud, and oddly quite strange tradition of bringing animals into the military. Not horses that are rode into battle, or dogs used for sniffing out bombs, but regularly animals that are given titles and act as representatives for the military.
Nils Olav is one famous example, the world’s highest decorated penguin, found in Edinburgh Zoo. But William ‘Billy’ Windsor is possibly an even weirder story.
Billy is a cashmere goat who has served as a lance corporal in the 1st Battalion, the Royal Welsh, an infantry battalion of the British Army. He served as a lance corporal from 2001 to 2009, a long and distinguished career, but it had a blip.
Billy was demoted to a fusilier in 2006. His demotion came about because of a parade held to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 80th birthday. This was held at a military base in Cyprus and was to be Billy’s first mission abroad.
Billy struggled to stay in line with all of the other soldiers. He refused to obey, he failed to keep in step and he even tried to headbutt a drummer. The goat major (yes, that’s a real job) was unable to control him throughout the event.
Billy was charged with unacceptable behaviour, lack of decorum, and disobeying a direct order. While he was demoted for his actions, this didn’t last long.
A Canadian animal rights group protested to the British Army, stating that he was merely “acting the goat” and should be given his title back. Three months later, at the same spot where he first acted out, Billy was given a second chance for Alma Day parade, celebrating the Royal Welsh victory in the Crimean War.
It was said that “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.”
Unfortunately, Billy retired just a few years later due to old age, finishing his 8 years of service in 2009. He lived the rest of his life out at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire.
How did Billy get his title in the first place?
The British army has a long history with goats specifically. The tradition of having goats in the military started in 1775 when a wild goat walked onto the battlefield in Boston during the American Revolutionary War.
Welsh goats have served during the First World War and multiple other battles since. Billy was presented by Queen Elizabeth II in 2001.
While Billy has since retired and passed away, a new William Windsor has been chosen, who is now serving in the same way with serious duties across different military exercises.
