Barrack-room bollockings
From Mr Erie Dehn Sir: Reading the barrack-room reminiscences of National Service conjured up by James Delingpole in his observations about Lad's Army (Television, 29 June) brought back similar memories of the disciplinary diatribes and powerful vocabulary to which as an officer-cadet I was subjected by a certain Sergeant Muggeridge in 1939.
I recall reacting subserviently and instantly to 'Don't stand there like a baby's damp nappy wot hasn't been ironed' and 'Stop meandering like a bloody egg in a whirlpool', followed, politically correctly, by 'sir'.
If by any chance the sergeant is still alive, he might be pleased to hear that his colourful vocabulary and rigorous training enabled his ex-recruit, I'm sure, to run faster than the pursuing enemy in 1940, even if the actual words he used about my physical prowess and presence are only too applicable in 2002.
Eric Dehn
Bristol
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