MASCOT MUTINIES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 661, 14 January 1933, Page 21 (Supplement)

MASCOT MUTINIES.

Welch Regimental Goat Arrested. LONDON, December 28. “ Rex,” the famous goat mascot of the Ist Welch Regiment, mutinied yesterday in front of the whole regiment. This distressing incident, which will cause a shudder to go through the whole British Army, occurred at the worst possible moment—at a church parade. The regiment was drawn up on the Salamanca parade ground at Aldershot, read}' for its ceremonial march to the Garrison Church. Every man was looking his smartest. Sharp commands had drawn them up in ranks as straight as rulers. Sergeants were as stiff as pokers. The air was tense with expectation. An order rang across the parade ground. The band burst into music, the regiment stepped out, and then—and then—the goat lay down. “ Rex,” in his scarlet and gold uniform, lay down and refused to move. Consternation swept through all ranks. Meanwhile the horrified soldier escort of the goat made frantic efforts to persuade “ Rex ”to stand up. He pleaded He threatened. He tried force. And the band went on playing, and the regiment marked time, wondering what was going to happen. . Another order was given, and the regiment stepped out again as one man —but there was something missing. “ Rex ” had been put under arrest and taken to the barracks, where he was placed in confinement. His mutinous conduct ended abruptly a't dinner-time, for he has an enormous appetite. “ Rex ” will be forgiven, for there was a very human reason for his disobedience. At reveille he found his personal commanding officer, Goat Major Serns, absent. He had been called away from barracks for a few days. He is devoted to his Goat Major, and refused to obey anybody else’s orders.