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He cuts an imposing figure at 6ft 2in and nearly 20 stone.
But Britain's new Army chief – who ordered a tougher training regime for troops – has had to buy a bigger uniform because his old one is too tight.
General Sir Peter Wall, 55, who took over as Chief of the General Staff this week and is known as a 'big eater', was measured up for a new Service Dress uniform at a cost of £1,000, which he paid for himself.
A military source said: 'A tailor had to come into the office because the jacket and trousers on the old one were too small for him.
'The general is a very big, imposing man, but you would never tell him that.'
A keen rugby player in his youth, the burly ex-Paratrooper, nicknamed 'the Bear', is known to enjoy his food and likes a drink with dinner. His favourite tipples are whisky, wine and port
One colleague recalled last night how ten years ago, while visiting Scotland as commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade, Sir Peter ordered a young major to get him two portions of fish and chips.
The major returned with only one portion. When the general asked where the second portion was, the hapless major admitted he had eaten it, believing he was being treated to a fish and chip supper by his boss.
But Sir Peter barked out: 'Go and get me the other portion. I'm hungry.'
In his previous role as Commander in Chief of Land Forces, General Wall ordered a review of physical training of troops to prepare them for combat in Afghanistan.
The popular £165,000-a-year general is regarded as one of the military's best brains and served as the head of operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
All officers and soldiers are supposed to pass an annual battle fitness test but Sir Peter has not had one for ten years.
He has never been turned away from action. When he was pictured at an Airborne Forces parade in Colchester, Essex, in July, his uniform certainly appeared close fitting.
An Army source said: 'Sir Peter used to be super-fit when he played rugby, but his job now is as a commander and strategist rather than serving in a more active operational role. 'His size certainly has no effect on his abilities to carry out his duties.'
An Army spokeswoman said: 'The Army takes fitness very seriously. It is vital to ensure our soldiers have the strength and stamina to cope with physical challenges of operations as tough as any we have had to cope with in several decades.'
Read more:
General Two Dinners forks out £1,000 for XXL uniform... Embarrassment for 20-stone Army chief who ordered tough new fitness tests for troops | Mail Online
Read more:
General Two Dinners forks out £1,000 for XXL uniform... Embarrassment for 20-stone Army chief who ordered tough new fitness tests for troops | Mail Online]
I guess this opens the door to all the people that have been dismissed for not doing their fitness tests then?
The B Word