Saturday - June 24, 2006

Disgraced Goat Demoted

As I’m so fond of telling foreigners, the difference between Americans and our British friends is that America is a young, rambunctious country and we’re constantly stepping in crap trying to figure ourselves out. The Brits on the other hand are steeped in centuries of tradition, not unlike Earl Grey. Hear, hear! The following story brilliantly illustrates this concept of British “tradition” in all its glory. Rule, Britannia!

British Army Lance Corporal
Demoted For Acting The Goat
_{Jun 24 9:09 AM US/Eastern}

CYPRUS (AFP) - William (Billy) Windsor, regimental goat of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, has been demoted for refusing to keep in step at a parade for Queen Elizabeth II’s 80th birthday, officers said.

The 1st Battalion lance corporal’s lack of decorum landed him in hot water during the bash at Episkopi British military base outside the southern resort of Limassol in Cyprus.

“He was charged with disobeying a direct order… the commanding officer had no other option but to reduce his rank to fusilier,” Captain Crispin Coates told AFP. The goat was marched before the CO after being reported for “unacceptable behaviour” by his handler, also known as the goat major.

Six-year-old Billy is on his first overseas tour since joining the regiment in 2001, and according to one parade onlooker is unlucky to be in the dog house. “I thought he was immaculately turned out on the night and marched quite well, but Billy does have a reputation for being a bit frisky and temperamental,” he said.

Goats are not mascots but very much members of the regiment. They have their own serial numbers, and march at the head of the battalion. The origin of the custom is unknown but is thought to go back centuries.

Queen Victoria presented the regiment with a Kashmir goat from the royal herd in 1844, and successive monarchs have replaced them ever since. Because he acted the goat, Billy’s drop in rank means fusiliers no longer have to stand to attention when he passes by.

Posted by The Skipper     on 06/24/2006 at 11:11 AM   
Filed Under: • Fun-Stuff • Odd-Strange •  
• Comments (6) • Trackbacks(0)  Permalink •  

DISCLAIMER

THE SERVICES AND MATERIALS ON THIS WEBSITE ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND THE HOSTS OF THIS SITE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF SATISFACTORY QUALITY, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICE OR ANY MATERIALS.

Not that very many people ever read this far down, but this blog was the creation of Allan Kelly and his friend Vilmar. Vilmar moved on to his own blog some time ago, and Allan ran this place alone until his sudden and unexpected death partway through 2006. We all miss him. A lot. Even though he is gone this site will always still be more than a little bit his. We who are left to carry on the BMEWS tradition owe him a great debt of gratitude, and we hope to be able to pay that back by following his last advice to us all:

1. Keep a firm grasp of Right and Wrong
2. Stay involved with government on every level and don't let those bastards get away with a thing
3. Use every legal means to defend yourself in the event of real internal trouble, and, most importantly:
4. Keep talking to each other, whether here or elsewhere

It's been a long strange trip without you Skipper, but thanks for pointing us in the right direction and giving us a swift kick in the behind to get us going. Keep lookin' down on us, will ya? Thanks.

THE INFORMATION AND OTHER CONTENTS OF THIS WEBSITE ARE DESIGNED TO COMPLY WITH THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THIS WEBSITE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND ALL PARTIES IRREVOCABLY SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE AMERICAN COURTS. IF ANYTHING ON THIS WEBSITE IS CONSTRUED AS BEING CONTRARY TO THE LAWS APPLICABLE IN ANY OTHER COUNTRY, THEN THIS WEBSITE IS NOT INTENDED TO BE ACCESSED BY PERSONS FROM THAT COUNTRY AND ANY PERSONS WHO ARE SUBJECT TO SUCH LAWS SHALL NOT BE ENTITLED TO USE OUR SERVICES UNLESS THEY CAN SATISFY US THAT SUCH USE WOULD BE LAWFUL.

Copyright © 2004-2015 Domain Owner