I read in someone's memoir once that during the Second World War there was a parade or something where people had to give their serial number. One person quoted three digits which caused a wrathful response from whomever was asking as apparently it was considered 'cool' to just quote the last three.
He repeated that the three digits were in fact his full serial number as he had previously served in the First World War as well
A respectful silence filled the room
Anyone know where that came from?