.
Not the cap from his days with the Royal Artillery but the one employed during his tenure with Ferranti. The cap badge, fashioned from solid silver, depicted the 'Ferranti Fleur-de-lys' and was topped with a ruby (worn by the Colonel, his Chief Pilot Squadron Leader Salt and Ferranti's Operations Manager Major Warburton). In the badges of the remaining crew the ruby was substituted with a garnet.
Ask him 'What's the name of his ship', then 'what's the cargo'.
Clear evidence that you imbibed with the Colonel. So many moons ago since I heard those words that it moistens the eye TRC!
Rgds
Sav