The Retraining of the Awkward
(Internet Published) Oct 2000
The British Army administration knew how to deal with awkward soldiers.
Just a few soldiers would sometimes get together and become a nuisance and
dared to defy the authority of the officers. Brave men, they so often were,
good fighters, but as a clique they were unmanageable and they undermined
the discipline of the British army. Such men played the Cat and Banjo with
authority. But, when it came to slaughter they did the job on water and many
a medal was pinned to such riff-raff as these.
Tipplers, like British soldiers, often get into bad habits and as a clique
or kit may resort to unacceptable habits. In such cases the commanding
officer would assemble these renegades and call them to attention. "Right!
You horrible little men. I'm going to break up this little tea party. I am
going to split you up and post you afar and see how you like that"
Well, that's it isn't it? A defaulting kit may be relocated and split up
into a less intransigent company. The British Army had no time for renegades
and free thinkers. All contest Tipplers and Rollers must respond and
conform. The bottom line is that pigeons make good servants but deplorable
masters.