Army

Royal Welsh Regimental Goat 'Taffy' Dies

One of the British Army's most well-known mascots has died..

"It is with regret that The Royal Welsh is able to inform the public that 24416906 Lance Corporal Gwillam Jenkins also known as Taffy, one of our Regimental Goats, died peacefully in his pen in the early hours of May 14, 2015. The Colonel in Chief of The Royal Welsh, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, has been informed of this sad event."

Taffy VI was descended from long blood line of Royal Regimental Goats, a tradition of military mascots in the British Army that is likely to continue.

Accounts suggest that The Royal Welch Fusili ers were parading a goat as early as 1777.

"There are many romantic stories of how the goat came to be our Regimental mascot. One relates back to the Crimean War of 1854-56 and the 41st of foot or the Welch regiment. It is alleged that a young Welsh soldier found a kid goat, maybe to supplement his poor rations or maybe to keep him as a pet. This young Welsh soldier was on sentry duty during a cold night, so he put the goat inside his grey coat to keep him warm, but the soldier fell asleep whist on stag.

An enemy Russian patrol approached the Welsh position and the goat bleated whilst the enemy approached. The goat woke the young Welsh soldier, who was alerted and stood to, and in turn waking up his fellow Welshmen and repelling the Russian attack. Perhaps it was this event that led to the first goat being presented by Queen Victoria from her Royal Herd at Windsor at around 1860."

“We all honour his passing with respect for a well disciplined and loyal Regimental Mascot.

Lance Corporal Gwillam Jenkins (Taffy), along with Fusilier Owen, his Goat Major, had become famous throughout Wales and elsewhere following their support to Freedom Parades and the London Olympics in 2012. Taffy had met Royalty, the current Prime Minister and a long list of famous personalities, all of whom admired his good behaviour and personality. Taffy had also proudly led the Welsh Rugby Union team out onto the pitch in the Millennium Stadium becoming familiar with members of the national side.

Taffy the VI’s death is an end to an era, his headstone will be added to the many others that have served the Regiment over the years in the garden outside of Regimental Headquarters.