Mascots on parade
Image by Defence Imagery
Pictured are The Mascots from the Royal Regiment of Scotland (Lance Corporal Cruachan IV, the Shetland Pony) with Pony Major Wilkinson.
Royal Welsh (Fusilier Llywelyn the goat) with Royal Welsh Goat Major Fusilier Campbell.
Royal Irish (Brain Boru the 10th, an Irish Wolfhound) with Wolfhound Major Moor.
The use of mascots in the British Army began in the 18th century when regiments used animals to work with them, bringing luck, strength and moral. Now they are treated in many ways like any other soldier and share the camaraderie and danger of their human colleagues.
The British Army has both official and unofficial mascots. Unofficial mascots are fed and housed at regimental expense or taken ‘on the strength’. Official mascots are entitled to the services of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and looked after with public money.
Official mascots also have a regimental number and rank. As with human soldiers, they can even be promoted and demoted!
Some of these mascots have connections to their regiment’s home county. Others symbolise part of their unit’s history.
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© Crown Copyright 2014
Photographer: Cpl Ben Maher
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