News Item That I Liked :
Since I am about to retire,anything related to retirement catches my eye.In today’s Hindustan Times,there was a hilarious news item about a Goat retiring ! A GOAT ? Yes even goats retire. Here’s the story:
Billy the goat retires as Royal Welsh Regiment mascot… with full military honours.
From his gleaming headplate to his immaculately groomed whiskers, Lance Corporal William Windsor looked every inch the proud old soldier as he left camp for the last time yesterday. Cheering comrades lined the route from his pen to the trailer waiting to take him to the zoo, where the Army veteran informally known as Billy the Goat will spend his retirement. His send-off came with full military pomp and ceremony – befitting-his lifetime’s service with the 1st Battalion the Royal Welsh.
Royal salute: Billy, a Kashmir goat, was a gift from the Queen in 2001.
He has travelled overseas, met royalty and led every battalion parade.
Guard of honour: The retiring goat, wearing full ceremonial dress, is led out for the last time by handler Lance Corporal Ryan Arthur.
Fond farewell: The route from pen to trailer was lined by soldiers from the Chester-based regiment to say thank you to Billy for many years of 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 on to a battlefield and ended up leading the regimental Colours at the end of a battle.
Pride: Billy, whose real name is William Windsor, bears a silver plaque – a gift from the Queen – a tradition that goes back to Queen Victoria’s donation in 1884.
In 1844, Queen Victoria presented the first Royal goat, and since then most have been presented by the sovereign.
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 be unveiled in June when a kid will be collected from a herd on the Great Orme, North Wales.
Leaving home: Lance Cpl Ryan Arthur leads Billy through their digs in Chester.
Comments by readers :
Nice one Captain Zorab. “When people hear that we have a goat among the Battalion, they think we must be kidding”.
Excellent ,Sir.I wish Billy a long and happy retirement.Just one question. Why to Whipsnade Zoo, and not Chester Zoo, where his old comrades would have been able to visit more easily??.
Although this is great story maybe the Army could have Gurkhas as mascots then they could stay in England on retirement.
Bless him, enjoy your retirement William Windsor!
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My comment :
I wish retiring Bank Officers should also be given such a ceremonial send off and kept in a special Zoo where the new recruits could come and see them sometimes and learn a few tricks of the trade from them.Wishful thinking ?
Will someone in the concerned Ministry of the new Government to be formed, think on these lines ?
Jitoo Uncle,
It gave me a good feeling knowing that this goat is a royal treasure and recieved so much of honour. So God has made everyone very special.
So here is my one and only SINGH IS KING UNCLE, who is nearing his retirement officially.
I am forced to accept your retirement because rules are made that way. But voh to shuruvaat hai ek nai zindagi ki.
Jitoo Uncle, I wish I were there on May 31 this year.
Is there a grand party? In your office?
Wish you a very happy retirement.
Be happy.
Three cheers to my SINGH IS KING UNCLE,
HIP HIP HURRAY,
HIP HIP HURRAY,
HIP HIP HURRAY……
Dear Sir,
Wow, this piece was absolutely hilarious…..a regimental goat?………i’m aghast…….i don’t understand as to what is the utility of recruiting a goat in the ranks…… following an old tradition is understandable if it serves some purpose in the present scenario….. but this one is ridiculous and totally meaningless……and the goat has the luxury of being (man) handled by a lance corporal……wow what a life the goat is getting to enjoy. but yes the goat looks pretty with white flowing locks all over and the crowing glory… its horns are superb. the battalion must also have employed a battery of staffers including beauticians for grooming the goat so that it appears and behaves every inch as a lance corporal.
Dear Jatinder ji,
What a lovely piece of info you have provided.Thank you so much.It is both interesting and inspiring.Earlier we know that EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY.Now, we learn every( Billy ) goat has his day.
Yes, dost. Serious thought needs to be given to your proposal.The only way seems to be to get commerce, finance and animal husbandry ministries to be brought under one umbrella, which may set Chidambaram ,Montek singh Ahluwalia and the P. M himself in deep contemplation .Confabulations with allies may result in dilly dallying causing annoyance to our dear Billy[Retiring official].
Environmentalists and animal welfare enthusiasts may form a forum for freedom of movement & action to our revered Billy sahebs.
Maneka ji in Dilly and Amala garu [of Blue cross] in Hyderabad gully will be inspired to lead processions with placards announcing their support and denouncing hither to followed norms, whatever they may be.
Bhai Saheb,aaj neend mein jaroor Billy ji darshan denge aur shayad ek gana bhee[bleating?] sunayangi. Pray for me , yaar.Hopefully I won’t start bleating from tomorrow.
Fabulous pics and wonderful story before sleep are welcome.
Thanks a million jee.cheers,
mouli.
Broca ji–Hello! Just passing by. Hope you are having a relaxing time at home in full control of the muse.
Julie
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