I agree that the average officer is probably more eloquent in defending his or her position own dealing with other Government Departments and I can't help but feel that the Army and Bale's CoC should have intervened earlier to assist this LCpl, before this became a Daily Heil/Daily Mailygraph political points-scoring matter.
I understand, too, that this isn't the first time the Bale family have invited the press to deal with Army complaints. I believe Mrs Bale called the press in to complain about the condition of quarters several years ago. I'm sure that was helpful.
Again, I get this niggly feeling that this story does't add up (in my case, naturalisation was a very straight-forward process and the RAF paid the fee).