Still raises a smile - the British soldier. Our superintending sergeant a Scots Guards full sergeant, hard as nails but very fair. Came onto the square as his squad (platoon) were drilling under a lance sergeant - and how are 'Wellington's little darlings' doing sergeant? Nae bad sergeant. Later at the evening 'shiny parade' sat astride your bed making everything shine the regimental history lessons were part of this. It had to be asked Wellington's little darlings sergeant? 'Scum mere scum' was Wellingtons view of the British soldier. He was a tad more complimentary about the sergeants of his army. something along the lines of 'he is the backbone of the army when sober and on occasion you can find him in such a state!' The military compliment is often misunderstood and at odds with what many would deem to be a compliment.
Anonymous is apparently a very busy person on the internet. Hard not to be cynical when you see that signed at the bottom of so much guff.
True, it could well be complete BS but it was a nice sentiment and directed at an under appreciated group so I posted it for all to see. The authorship was somewhat irrelevant. Part of the appeal was that it is a close match to my own perception of the primary attributes of the British infantryman.
Yeah, like making cups of tea "in the middle of a fire fight"; might've heard that one somewhere before as a negative criticism. Who's to say they're under appreciated, these days, really, and on here? And even if some don't give a damn, this stuff isn't really going to sway their opinion, it's more like preaching to the (sentimental) converted. One would surely be better off quoting/sharing real experiences, there are plenty of them which could be attributed, than something which is likely made up. It is ... unnecessary. I'll not spend any more time on it, only my opinion, but I'm pleased that generally this forum avoids the typical must-share round-robin stuff quite well.
I was just wondering which bit of the spelling you were unsure about; bucket, vomit or bollocks? I would have said that one of the undying British characteristics was the ability to smell bullshit at 100 yards.
Whenever I read a tribute that could be best described as "mawkish", I am reminded of one of what were known as King George the Vth's maxims. In the boys club that I was a member of in the 1930s, it was always read out at Club prayers and went ; Dear Lord, teach me to distinguish between sentiment and sentimentality, admiring the one and despising the other. Ron
Christ! What a tough audience. This is bullshit too but at least it's official bullshit: http://ethics.iit.edu/ecodes/node/5512
