ARMY MASCOT DRUNK

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23349, 7 June 1941, Page 10

ARMY MASCOT DRUNK

GOAT DISCHARGED (F.0.0.C.) SYDNEY, May 20. After a year's service as mascot to the 2nd Garrison (Ist A.1.F.) Battalion, Barney, a white Angora goat, has been discharged, because of intemperate habits. He had been the most photographed and publicised mascot in the Army. Members of the garrison said that his discharge was brought about by friends of the battalion, who taught him to like strong drink and chew tobacco. Barney’s expulsion was ordered by the commanding officer of the battalion, after a man had taken the goat on a tour of North Sydney hotels. After drinking several beers, Barney bolted from a hotel and climbed to a shelf in a confectionery shop. He knocked over bottles of lollies and ate them, and then charged into a greengrocer’s shop and<ate some tomatoes. He was “arrested," taken to a police station, and locked up for three days. When members of the garrison located Barney they were presented with a bill for £8 damages. The garrison bugler (Private Kelly), who owns the goat, said: “We were all disappointed with the way Barney turned out. He was a kid, just a month old, when I took him to the camp. We named him Barney after the colonel. He used to stand up on his hind legs and almost talk. We didn’t mind him stealing butter and cake and sugar from the mess, but after he took to beer he became a nuisance. I have given him to a man who has promised to give him the right food.”