This photo portrays Welch Regimental goat Taffy IV, perhaps the only goat in history to be awarded a military medal. Says Petrusplancius on the Vintagephoto community:
He accompanied his regiment over to France at the beginning of theFirst World War as part of the Brtish Expeditionary Force, and tookpart in the retreat from Mons and was present at the battle of Ypresand other engagements (though he would have been kept well behind thelines I imagine). It was therefore thought fitting that he should beawarded the campaign medal along with other members of the regiment.
For the goat actually was a member of the regiment, ranking as alance-corporal; the goats were included in the ration lists under thename of Gwilyn Jenkins (a typical Welsh name). Thet were tended by anNCO known as the goat-major.
The tradition of keeping goats with Welsh military outfits is apparently well-established and goes on to this day. I find this surprising. I would have expected the Welsh to keep closer company with sheep.
A Goat Who Won a Medal in the Great War [Vintagephoto]
