In 1972 I took over an officer's quarter in Singapore and the MQ wallah removed twelve breakfast plates and issued twelve dinner plates bringing the total to 24 dinner plates. He removed twelve Aberdeen tumblers and issued twelve naval 'tot' glasses bringing that total to 24. I also moved from one officer's quarter in Dunoon (which hadn't been trifled with) into another four-bedroomed detached bungalow next door which had been refurbished for my takeover. Gone were the fitted carpets, replaced by VERY expensive cortisene and nearly fitted carpets. This exercise cost much, much more than mere fitted carpets but as I was not an officer fitted carpets were not for me! The local 'Man from the Ministry' had wanted the cheaper option but was overridden by his Naval overlords who obviously didn't want a mere rating having ideas above his station!