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British regiment bids goodbye to goat mascot

The Royal Welsh Regiment is saying farewell to a four-legged military buddy. After seven years of U.K. Army service, Billy the goat, whose full name is William Windsor, retired amid pomp and ceremony on Wednesday.
BRITAIN MILITARY GOAT
Goat Maj. L/Cpl. Ryan Arthur of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh, leads the regiment's goat William Windsor on his retirement parade on WednesdayAP
/ Source: The Associated Press

The Royal Welsh Regiment is saying farewell to a four-legged military buddy.

After seven years of U.K. Army service, Billy the goat, whose full name is William Windsor, retired amid pomp and ceremony on Wednesday.

The nine-year-old will enjoy his retirement at a zoo outside of London.

The battalion has had a goat in its ranks for more than 200 years. The tradition dates to the U.S. Revolutionary War when a wild goat wandered onto a battlefield and ended up leading the regimental colors at the end of a battle.

To this day, the regimental goat marches in front of the battalion in ceremonies.

Billy's replacement will be unveiled next month when a kid will be selected from a herd in north Wales.