I am considering launching a law suit against MOD in respect of the scarring suffered by my 16yr-old body (Halton 1971) due to:
a) Permanent collar-stud indentations to my neck.
b) Severe chafing to the inside of my tender thighs due to the highly abrasive Hairy Mary trousers, even though I shaved them (the trousers, not my thighs).
c) Major bruising to my head inflicted by FS K-- D-w-b-ry (RAF Regt), using the cap-badge end of my beret as a weapon. We youths had drawn SLR's from the armoury for the first time, & the good FS (who had been fired from the SS for cruelty) demonstrated how to 'clear & make safe' the weapon upon receipt. I duly pulled back the cocking handle & looked inside, and could see nothing at all (working parts now to the rear). I approached FS
K-- & said stupidly "excuse me Flight, there are no bits in my gun".
Well, my memories of the next 30secs are a blur of shouting & pain, as FS K-- used his well-honed martial arts skills on my head with my beret.
I am truly a damaged individual.......
HB