William 'Billy' De Goat

The rapid rise of that most terrible of goats, Group Captain William 'Billy' De Goat, began at Biggin Hill, on 23rd June 1943, when William 'Billy' De Goat joined the squadron. Billy had been 'recruited 'by the Belgian pilot Vicki Ortmans from 'Biddy', the Belgian Landlady of the 'Old Jail' public house situated near the base, where he was not really helping the war effort. On entering the dispersal hut that morning, Vicki was discovered sleeping in an armchair with a Billy dozing on his lap. Immediately commisioned as a  Flying Officer, William de Goat  remained with the squadron until it's first disbandment in 1945, whereupon he retired to Wales with the rank of Air Commodore.

Flying Officer De Goat's introduction to service life consisted of being fed large quantities of beer from a baby's bottle, (replacing milk by 7th July, when weaning away from rationed substances was more urgent), and with additional moral fibre supplied by a dozen cigarettes. This diet would vary little in his life with the squadron, with the exception of  prized flower beds, top secret maps, paperwork and the delicious contents of oxygen bottles. He was also a bit of a 'Ladies Goat' and was on one occasion discovered in the WAAF quarters at Biggin Hill  - a chargeable offence. Not only did he munch his way through certain items of nightwear, he also beat-up their officers mess. This was not the only 'black' which William was to make during his career - being arrested and placed in custody at Digby for ignoring Kings Regulations, attacking a sentry, eating the station adjutants Christmas cards, files and records (and leaving the office in such a state that Goering himself would have approved), leave passes and ration cards in the Guardroom, nibbling the shoots of the Station Commander's prize ornamental trees, and forcing himself past an armed guard to create havoc in the East Anglian Air Defence Operations Room (where he vectore several Spitfires to Norway), all within days of the squadron arrival. Perhaps this behaviour was the natural goatly disdain for discipline, or may possibly have been due to the squadrons practice of painting his rank directly onto his horns with the toxic blue dope used on the aircraft. Further adventures were to follow, with William narrowly escaping the butchers block when kidnapped by evil forces (allegedly under the command of either the station commander or his Adjutant) during the squadrons move from Duxford in 1942 (a kind soul rescuing him and sending him by train back to his squadron). 609 had entrusted Giles Guthrie of the Naval Air Fighting Development Unit with the task of ensuring that Flight Lieutenant De Goat was placed on a train to Ramsgate Railway Station. Fortunately for the whole future of 609, an RAF Police Corporal, George Clough, had great affection for William, and learning of the sinister plans he hid William, subsequently ensuring that (subject to remembering) the Navy could complete their promise to embark William on his journey to Manston.

With such leadership potential and respect from his fellow squadron members, Williams rise through the ranks was little short of meteoric - celebrating his promotion to Wing Commander by consuming thirty cigarettes, two bowls of chrysanthemums and his Commanding Officers mess bill, followed soon afterwards by his attaining, on 20th October, the rank of Group Captain. The promotion was announced during a party of such hedonistic proportions at the Hotel Majestic in Folkestone (celebrating Lawrence 'Pinkie' Starks downing of a Junkers JU88 that happened to be the Squadrons 200th kill) that it became neccessary for the Officer Commanding 11 Group to send a telegram advising the squadron to remain off duty "until such time as its CO decides it is capable of taking over again".

But duty called, and the lure of the continent beckoned. And so it was that ‘Billy’ came to be in the advance party Dakota on its arrival at B7 in Northern France on July 1st 1944 after the invasion of Europe. Such was his magnificence, Billy was regularly approached by local madamoiselles for sexual favours, to sire heroic Franglais goats. It was at this point that the Belgians on the Squadron had to inform the local population that Billy had taken a vow of chastity (the better to serve his masters) and become neutered. Leading the squadron through France, Holland and Germany over the foolowing year, his service and sacrifice was finally recognised when William De Goat was promoted to Air Commodore, before being demobbed like so many other countless civilians who had been called up to bear arms in the struggle for freedom.

N.A.F.D.U.,

R.A.F. Station,

Duxford,

Cambs.

20th November 1942.

Dear Ziegler,

On the 18th I sent you a signal saying that the goat would leave Whittlesford at 1201 hours. I sent the signal but forgot to send the goat! However, it really has left Whittlesford now, bound for Ramsgate Station, and I have sent another signal today letting you know that it is on its way.

Enclosed is a railway form which when decoded means that you owe me 10/1d.!

I hope to God the goat arrives safely.

Yours aye,

Charles Guthrie.

Flying Officer Ziegler,

Officers' Mess,

R.A.F. Station,

Manston, Kent.

N.A.F.D.U.

R.A.F. Station,

Duxford,

Cambs.

5th December 1942.

Dear Ziegler,

Thank you very much for your letter of the 2nd December and for enclosing a postal order for 10/-d. I am very glad the goat arrived safely, and I trust that it will bring your Squadron great luck.

David Bay is still attached to this unit, although he is at the moment away on the high seas, learning to be a "nautic"!

Yours sincerely

Charles Guthrie.

F/O F.H. Ziegler,

R.A.F. Station,

Manston,

Kent.

[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Media Star ]

Copyright © 2002 609 (West Riding) Archives
Last modified: April 11, 2003