Remembering Sergeant Bill...!

Just who was Sergeant Bill you may ask? Well, that's an interesting story that I think you will find educational.

Sergeant Bill, a Tough Old Goat!

Sergeant Bill in uniform with soldier friend.

(Photo: Broadview Museum)

A goat named Bill was pulling a cart in a small town in Saskatchewan when a train, carrying soldiers on their way to fight in the First World War, stopped. The girl who owned Bill let the soldiers take him along as a good luck charm. Mascots were not supposed to go to the front lines, but the soldiers had become very attached to the goat so they hid him in a big crate and took him with them.

Sergeant Bill, as the goat was called, was a big help. He saw action beside his human friends in many battles, including one where he pushed three soldiers into a trench just seconds before a shell exploded where they had been standing.

Despite being wounded several times, Sergeant Bill survived the war. Once the fighting was over, he was even part of a big parade in Germany, proudly wearing a fancy blue coat with his sergeant stripes. He then returned to his hometown where he was reunited with his owner.

Isn't it refreshing to hear a story like this coming from suck a terrible time in our history? I thought so.

Coffee out on the patio again this morning. Fresh cookies to share!