| Seven Years ago during a visit to New Zealand I came across the"Unofficial History" selections from N.Z.R.S.A. Review by the Late Great Jim Henderson.
IRREFUTABLE
When a young Lieutenant was promoted,the date in the London Gazette was shown as April 1st 1064,instead of 1964. That night after a little celebration in the mess his fellow officers persuaded him to claim for back allowances and pay.
The application was made out there and then,quoting the pertinent paragraphs of Kings Regulations.
The next morning he waited for the inevitable court martial and demotion,but when the reply came weeks later it read:
'Your application for allowances to back date to April 1st 1064.has been found to be in order,and your account has been credited with £39,999. You appear,however,to have overlooked a further paragraph of Kings Regulations,under which a commanding Officer is personnaly responsible for any Guns or Horses lost in action owing to his negligence. If the commanding Officer is killed,his responsibility devolves upon the surviving officer next in seniority. Your letter proves conclusively that you are the sole survivor of the battle of Hastings,1066,where 20,000 horses,valued at £2 each,were lost by your negligence. The responsibility for the payment of the £40,000 therefore falls upon you,and I have used your credit balance to meet this,but please note that you still owe a pound,which may be refunded now or deducted from your next payment as you wish.
BOADICEA,Hastings |