THE letter regarding paying for lost or non regulation kit reminded me of the tale regularly told by my uncles (at family get togethers) all of whom served in the forces in the 1940's and 1950's.
They said that any lost kit was charged at three times the cost of the lost item. The errant serviceman had to pay for the one he'd lost, again for the item to be reissued to him by the quartermaster, and again for the one to be bought and placed in stores.
Incidentally, one of the guys I am currently working with is an ex-RSM of the Royal Marines. His favourite saying was,
"Are the troops happy Sargent?"
"Yes Sir"
"Well muck 'em about a bit more then!"
Ainslie Casson MA
The Poplars
Church Walks
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