{"id":97421,"date":"2025-03-28T16:27:32","date_gmt":"2025-03-28T16:27:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=97421"},"modified":"2025-03-28T16:27:33","modified_gmt":"2025-03-28T16:27:33","slug":"more-than-just-a-mascot-the-story-of-shenkin-iv-the-regimental-goat-who-even-claims-his-own-salary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/03\/28\/more-than-just-a-mascot-the-story-of-shenkin-iv-the-regimental-goat-who-even-claims-his-own-salary\/","title":{"rendered":"More than just a mascot: The story of Shenkin IV, the regimental goat who even claims his own salary"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Walk past Maindy Barracks opposite the Heath pub in Cardiff and there is a good chance you&#8217;ll spot a goat leisurely grazing on the grass<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>MEET Lance Corporal Shenkin IV, the military goat that has such a strong bond with his handler that he often goes home with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The pair are rarely apart, and Sergeant Mark Jackson &#8211; the man who looks after every aspect of the military mascot&#8217;s life  &#8211; has even welcomed him in as part of the family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The bearded creature, who boasts ferocious-looking curly horns, is allowed to relax and make himself at home in the living room and has free rein of the back garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve had him since he was ten months old and have developed a very close bond with him, so I don&#8217;t think anyone else would be able to take him on,&#8221; said Sergeant Jackson. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe plan is to retire together in a few years time, and he\u2019ll come live at home with me.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/sheknin-1-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97515\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/sheknin-1-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/sheknin-1-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/sheknin-1-770x1027.jpeg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/sheknin-1-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/sheknin-1-293x391.jpeg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/sheknin-1.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/sheknin-1-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97515\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/sheknin-1-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/sheknin-1-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/sheknin-1-770x1027.jpeg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/sheknin-1-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/sheknin-1-293x391.jpeg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/sheknin-1.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Credit: Mark Jackson. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-2-1-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97516\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-2-1-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-2-1-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-2-1-770x1027.jpeg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-2-1-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-2-1-293x391.jpeg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-2-1-1400x1867.jpeg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-2-1.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-2-1-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97516\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-2-1-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-2-1-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-2-1-770x1027.jpeg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-2-1-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-2-1-293x391.jpeg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-2-1-1400x1867.jpeg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-2-1.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Shenkin IV comes from a long line of mascots of the 3rd Battalion Royal Welsh, continuing a tradition that has been a key part of the unit since 1884.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When his predecessor, Shenkin III, passed away, a letter was sent to Buckingham Palace seeking permission from Her Majesty the Queen for a new recruit to take his place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was then up to Sgt Jackson, known as the Goat Major, and the rest of his unit to travel to the Great Orme in Llandudno, and seek out the royal herd of Kashmiri goats in search of his replacement.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"726\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/GOAT-1024x726.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97437\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/GOAT-1024x726.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/GOAT-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/GOAT-770x546.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/GOAT-1536x1088.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/GOAT-293x208.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/GOAT-1400x992.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/GOAT.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"726\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/GOAT-1024x726.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97437\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/GOAT-1024x726.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/GOAT-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/GOAT-770x546.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/GOAT-1536x1088.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/GOAT-293x208.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/GOAT-1400x992.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/GOAT.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Ten-month-old Shenkin evaded capture for four weeks.<\/strong> Credit: MOD<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cShenkin IV has tight, distinctive curls around his horns, so when we found the herd, he stood out to me straight away,\u201d said Sgt Jackson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI had a photographer with me, and when he heard the noise of the camera, he looked straight at it and didn\u2019t run away; he was transfixed by it. I knew straight away this would be our new mascot, and he\u2019s been a poser ever since.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After four weeks of evading capture, 10-month-old Shenkin IV was brought to Maindy Barracks in Cathays, where he was assigned a regimental number, the rank of Fusilier, and a salary of \u00a31,400 a year to cover his upkeep and veterinary bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He then underwent six months of training to get accustomed to his new role as the regiment&#8217;s mascot, making his public debut at the National Armed Forces Day in Llandudno in June 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since then, he has taken part in leading Remembrance Day parades and other ceremonial occasions, participated in royal visits, and even escorts the match ball onto the field during the Six Nations.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"633\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-at-siux-nations-633x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97454\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-at-siux-nations-633x1024.jpg 633w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-at-siux-nations-185x300.jpg 185w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-at-siux-nations-770x1246.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-at-siux-nations-949x1536.jpg 949w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-at-siux-nations-293x474.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-at-siux-nations.jpg 951w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 633px) 100vw, 633px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"633\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-at-siux-nations-633x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97454\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-at-siux-nations-633x1024.jpg 633w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-at-siux-nations-185x300.jpg 185w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-at-siux-nations-770x1246.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-at-siux-nations-949x1536.jpg 949w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-at-siux-nations-293x474.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/03\/shenkin-at-siux-nations.jpg 951w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 633px) 100vw, 633px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Goat Major Mark Jackson lead Shenkin IV out at the Six Nations<\/strong>. Credit: Mark Jackson<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cHe loves the attention when he\u2019s out. If someone is there with a camera, and someone brings out a bigger camera, he\u2019ll turn to look at that one instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPeople love him. He&#8217;s met Prince Harry, King Charles, Queen Camilla, even Carol Vorderman \u2013 the list goes on and on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHe is the main focal point of the regiment, and the most photographed out of any of us. Apart from being a serving soldier, he is a part of a tradition that dates back centuries, and I&#8217;m proud to keep that going.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After his fourth royal engagement, Shenkin IV was eligible for promotion to Lance Corporal and earned the right to wear the King\u2019s Coronation Medal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With this new rank, however, comes added responsibility. In 2006, one of his predecessors Lance Corporal William &#8216;Billy&#8217; Windsor was demoted to Fusilier after stepping out of line and attempting to headbutt a battalion drummer during a parade in front of Queen Elizabeth II.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following a disciplinary hearing in front of his Commanding Officer, he was charged with unacceptable behaviour, disobeying a direct order, and a lack of decorum. He was reinstated back to Lance Corporal three months later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You can spot Shenkin IV during the Women&#8217;s Six Nations game at the Principality Stadium, on Saturday, March 29, <a href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/03\/28\/wales-eye-record-attendance-ahead-of-england-clash-in-womens-six-nations\/\">at 4.45pm<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Walk past Maindy Barracks opposite the Heath pub in Cardiff and there is a good chance you&#8217;ll spot a goat leisurely grazing on the grass<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1211,"featured_media":97423,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[417,3],"tags":[2514,913,9104,9103],"coauthors":[8798],"class_list":["post-97421","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-heath","category-news","tag-goat","tag-military","tag-royalwelsh","tag-shenkiniv"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - 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