You're not wrong. In fact it was well known by everyone in the Colt Officers Mess that it was not a burner. Without specific orders it would never have been touched. C'est la vie.
In fairness he may not have specifically been aware that the JPs were picking up the tab since I can't be sure anyone ever told him that it needed paying for. However, the burning was preceeded by a very obvious confrontation between said VSO and OC Admin witnessed by many so there should never have been any doubt who had called for the bottle of Brandy and matches.
BV
