Boll..king as a developed art form was undoubtedly the province of the old-fashioned RSM. Was privileged, many years ago to witness such a masterpiece.
We had been doing a winching demo' at the Cheltenham Tattoo and we then landed at Innsworth and came back to the Tattoo site to join the final parade in the back of an Army Land Rover. Our driver was held up en- route and, trying to catch up our position in the parade line-up, somewhat over-cooked the arena entry (two wheels instead of the normal four!!) This impressive bit of driving was spotted by the RSM (Corps of Transport, I think) and at the post parade gathering he requested the presence of .... not the offending driver, but HIS SERGEANT!! Said individual duly stamped his way to attention in front of this impressive figure with the usual ENORMOUS Tate and Lyle on his arm and stood, ashen faced as his parentage, lifestyle, mental capacity, social habits and prospects were examined in LOUD and unhesitating style and I cannot recall a single repetition throughout!!! Truly a virtuoso performance!
What was equally impressive was the secondary effect this had on our driver. His face became more and more ashen as he realised what effect this diatribe was going to have on him, at first remove.
Presumably such things would have to be filtered through a civil liberties lawyer nowadays.
[ 04 October 2001: Message edited by: Cornish Jack ]