Hi there,
Welcome back to my newsletter!
In mid April I visited the UK to see my brother’s passing out parade. My flying visit took us up to Catterick Garrison in Yorkshire to see him become a Paratrooper. Very proud big sister indeed! My visit inspired the main subject of this newsletter edition: regimental mascots.
This month saw the celebration of May Day, or Beltane if you follow the pagan calendar. This celebration has deep historical roots, with much celebration of the turning of the seasons and nature. When I was quite small (seven years old, I think) I was part of a Brownie pack and we had put on a small play. I think it was a celebration of the seasons because not only was I a pumpkin, I also got picked to be the May Queen. I remember being absolutely delighted with my pretty dress and crown, while some of the other girls danced around me with flowers singing a song. Sadly, as I have grown up I can now see that lots of folk celebrations and traditions have been slowly eroded from life where I lived in the UK.
I try to get my boys to revel in nature and the seasons. We’ve been on lots of scavenger hunts around Revell HQ here in France, spotting different insects, wild herbs, flowers, birds, and other signs of animal activity. So we fittingly spent a bit of our May Day doing this and enjoying a BBQ before school started again after the Easter holidays.
Regimental Mascots
We had just watched my brother officially become a part of the regiment on the parade square and were walking back to where refreshments were being served, when we saw another star of the parade: Pegasus, the regimental pony mascot. He was a very well behaved pony, even if he was trying to sniff my pockets out for polos. Although rumour has it, he was demoted a rank for trying to bite the Queen!
Different regiments have kept animals as morale and luck boosting symbols since the 18th century. They are treated as soldiers and even have a regimental number and rank. The National Army Museum website even states that they can be promoted and demoted (looking at you, Pegasus! 👀).
Goats
The Royal Welsh have traditionally kept a billy goat as their mascot. This goes back to a goat leading some Royal Welsh Fusiliers to safety on the battlefield in 1775 during the American Wars of Independence. Beginning with Queen Victoria, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers receive their goats as a gift from the Monarch.
Here is the tale of another spirited mascot causing trouble in the ranks according to the National Army Museum website: “Lance Corporal William ‘Billy’ Windsor, mascot of 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, earned a demotion in 2006. When leading a parade in front of the Queen he marched out of line and tried to head-butt the battalion drummers. His demotion to the rank of fusilier meant that other soldiers were no longer expected to salute him as a sign of respect.” Happily, Billy regained his rank
If you visit the Royal Welsh Fusiliers military museum at Caernarfon Castle in North Wales, you will come face to face with a former mascot preserved via taxidermy.
Dogs
Since 1949 Staffordshire regiments have had a Staffordshire Bull Terrier as their mascot. An 1882 tale of endurance and bravery by Boxer, the unofficial mascot of the South Staffordshire Regiment, led to them being associated. During the Egyptian War, the regiment were leaving on a train when Boxer leapt off and was presumed to be dead. However when they reached their destination they realised that loyal Boxer had followed them for 200 miles.
Tiger
When returning from India in 1870, the 102nd Regiment of Foot (Royal Madras Fusiliers) brought a tiger named Plassey with them. He was housed with the regiment in Dover but eventually retired to London Zoo.
For more information and pictures please visit the National Army Museum website, where I found most of my information.
The Monthly Edit
Beltane Fire Festival
I have an interest in the connection between nature and our ancestors. There is comfort to be taken in many spiritual places, from forest to cathedral, places our ancestors have connected to for eons before us. A nature-based calendar that celebrates the seasons is one that takes us far back in history and helps us to appreciate our home, the Earth.
You can read more about the fascinating Beltane Fire Festival held in Edinburgh here. It’s a revival of an Iron Age Celtic ritual celebrating the return of summer and fertility to the land.
Dinosaur fossil discovery
A dinosaur leg, complete with skin, has been found at a site in North Dakota. This article explains that due to the nature of the fossil it is possible that this dinosaur was killed by the asteroid that finished off the giant lizards 66 million years ago.
Stolen Darwin notebooks returned
A pair of priceless notebooks written by Charles Darwin have been anonymously dropped off at my old workplace, Cambridge University Library. They were stolen 22 years ago, but were recently dropped off in a pink gift bag with a typed note offering Easter greetings to the librarian. This article explains that they have been well looked after but the Librarian is very happy that they are back in the collection.
Royal Instagram
Lovely video in advance of the Platinum Jubilee about the Diamond Diadem worn by the Queen on state occasions.
Hope you enjoyed this edition’s offerings. Join us next month for a trip to Cambridge. We will be visiting the Fitzwiliam Museum and much more!
See you soon,