Sergeant Bill
Bill | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Died | Winnipeg |
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | 5th Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force |
| Battles/wars | World War 1 |
| Awards | 1914 Star, General Service Medal, Victory Medal |
Sergeant Bill was a Canadian goat from Saskatchewan who served as the mascot of the 5th Infantry Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War.[1]
Bill was able to hear and warn soldiers of incoming shell explosions, pushing 3 soldiers into a trench within seconds of an incoming shell.[1][2] In another instance, he cornered 3 enemy guardsmen.[2] He also assisted in guarding prisoners. Bill survived being wounded and gassed on multiple occasions.[2] For his actions, he was awarded the 1914 Star, the General Service Medal, and the Victory Medal.[3]
He faced
Sgt. Bill can currently be found at Broadview Historical Museum in Saskatchewan.
The children's book "Sergeant Billy - the true story of the goat who went to war" by Mireille Messier (illustrated by Kass Reich) is based on the life of Sergeant Bill.
References
- ^ a b "No kidding: Saskatchewan goat remembered as First World War hero". CTV News: Regina. 2017-08-18. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
- ^ a b c d "The stuff(ed) of legends: WWI heroics of taxidermied goat Sgt. Bill to get TV spot | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
- ^ McLennan, David. "Sergeant Bill". The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 4 December 2020.