Myrtle the Goat: A Much‑Loved Mascot of Alleyn’s CCF

April 15th 2026

Alleyn’s School Combined Cadet Force has a long and distinguished history, with its origins stretching back to the early 1900s. Today, Alleyn’s CCF proudly stands as one of the largest school contingents in the country. For many alumni, experiences of CCF life – muddy camps, polished parades, early-morning inspections and long days of training – remain among their most vivid school memories.

For those involved in the CCF during the late 1990s, there may be one memory that stands out above all others: the arrival of a rather unexpected regimental mascot - Myrtle the goat!

Myrtle made her inaugural appearance at Alleyn’s on Founder’s Day in 1997 and rapidly became a familiar, and much‑loved presence at ceremonial occasions. According to Scriblerus in 1998, Myrtle was even provided with her own “goat coat”, modelled on that worn by the Welsh Guards’ regimental goat, just in time for the Remembrance Sunday parade that year.

Former CCF Commanding Officer Mike Jones, who also taught Geography at Alleyn’s for 39 years, recalls Myrtle fondly:

“I remember Myrtle! She was John Lofthouse’s baby. He was an RS teacher and a great officer in the CCF. Sadly, when he moved on to another school no one was prepared to take her on. We got her a coat based on the Welsh Guards’ goat. John picked her up from her owner who lived by North Dulwich station. Naturally she was very popular with the cadets and was a strong feature on Remembrance Sunday parades.”

Photographs from 2000 show Myrtle still proudly carrying out her ceremonial duties well into the new millennium. Alumni memories also hint at certain privileges associated with her care. One story suggests that the School Captain alone was permitted to lead Myrtle across the hallowed school fields - a tradition that may or may not have been official, but whether it was rule, ritual or myth, remains part of Myrtle’s enduring charm.

While Myrtle herself is no longer part of day‑to‑day CCF life, her spirit lives on. And the mascot has recently been revived in soft‑toy form, complete with replica ceremonial and MTP uniforms. The new Myrtle now accompanies cadets on camps and exercises – ensuring that today’s generation can also form their own connection to a unique part of Alleyn’s CCF history.

If you have memories, photographs or stories of Myrtle, we would love to hear from you.

You can also explore more about the history of the CCF at Alleyn’s in Alleyn’s School Combined Cadet Force produced by Honorary Archivist Neil French (Cribb’s 1961) in 2015.

Header image: The 2026 Myrtle in soft-toy form, thumb image: Myrtle the Goat in 2000, in-story image: Myrtle from Scriblerus 1998.

More News