I was informed that at one time naval officers were permitted to petition the Lords of The Admiralty on their own behalf. The story goes that one officer took advantage of this procedure in the following manner:
"
You Lordships,
On each promotion list there is one officer of whom all who know him remark " How on earth was he selected?". Your Lordships, I feel that I am well qualified to be that officer on the forthcoming list.
Your obedient servant......"
Apocryphal, but I like it.
YS
