A regimental goat of the Royal Welch Fusiliers with his goat major and a farrier, 1950 (c)

Photograph, 1950 (c).

The Royal Welch Fusiliers' relationship with goats dates back to an incident at the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775, during the American War of Independence. A wild goat is reputed to have strayed onto the battlefield and led the Royal Welsh Fusiliers' colour party from the field. A goat has served with the Regiment and its successor units ever since.

In 1884 Queen Victoria presented the Regiment with a Kashmir goat from her royal herd. Subsequently, the Royal Welsh have obtained all their regimental goats as a gift from the monarch. This means that they are deemed ranking members of the Regiment rather than mascots.