The correct reply to hearing the words, "I'm saluting you, sir" is "And so you should Mr ..."
Alas, such presence of mind deserted FO Basil as, shambling in the general direction of his parked Argosy, the morning following a serious night in the mess bar, "I am saluting YOU, sir!" rang across the the Muharraq parade ground.
Anyone know if the aforementioned SWO Gourd was there late sixties?