Lasernigel.
Glad to see that you see Pendle hill...been up there many a time...cousins live in the Ribble valley.
Re your 'problem'. An ex marine chum of mine with a similar history to yours has just started receiving his pension at age 60. This was not a surprise to him and something he has known about since he left the service, apparently. He left the service in 1977. Seems as though you were given a bum steer by your bean stealers.
NC43