A goat called William Windsor served as a Lance Corporal in the British Army.

A goat called William Windsor served as a Lance Corporal in the British Army.

William “Billy” Windsor I was the renegade cashmere goat who served as a lance corporal in the 1st Battalion, the Royal Welsh, an infantry battalion of the British Army

Welsh billy goats

 This dates back to an incident at the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775, during the American War of Independence. A wild goat is thought to have strayed onto the battlefield and led the Royal Welsh Fusiliers' colour party from the field. A goat has served with the regiment ever since.

After repeatedly evading soldiers, the Royal Welsh finally got its goat after catching a new regimental mascot. Initial attempts to dart Fusilier Shenkin IV - a wild goat on the Great Orme in Conwy county - were met with a gruff response from the animal.

The academy spokesperson said the goat is a symbol of the "tough, warrior mentality." According to another legend retold in the magazine, midshipmen at the Naval Academy commandeered a goat for the first Army-Navy football game in 1890. When Navy beat Army 24-0, the luck of the goat mascot stuck.