So the Mess pre-paid for your food, wine and staffing because they were told you
were coming by your squadron.
Was it really their fault? If not, who
should have paid for the above? I would suggest your own squadron, not them.
I agree! It was suggested that the Sqn cover the bill quite early in the affair but the Boss refused to get involved, claiming that they did not know who had entered my name onto the list. Their solution was for me to find out who did it and to make them pay. At this point it became too personal and I did not pursue this line - it's one thing to complain to an organisation but it is totally different when it comes to upsetting friends.