Originally Posted by
James Blatch
FOLLOW UP: The dead man's bar bill appears to have been patchy in its tradition. But would there have been a gathering in the bar that night (regardless of this tradition)? Or would people have gone home to their wives/families?
My experience only goes back to the 70s but every fatality I knew about from then until now was followed by a serious amount of drinking ( and singing and burning pianos in some cases) in the mess that evening. Some went home quietly but most stuck together because hard won experience over the years taught that this was the best way of getting through it.
The RAF has been doing this since at least WW2 but sticking together with mates who have been through the same experience before going home is now, I believe , the best practice amongst the emergency services following a traumatic event.