Random reminder

Press, 18 July 1979, Page 29

Random reminder

WHEN THE HEAT IS ON

The frost crackled like shattering glass and the cold cut through gauntlet, glove, mitten, and parka as the Territorial soldier hurried to Addington for the night parade. Not to be missed, this one — a night exercise, tactical deployment in trucks, outdoor pathfinding, rendezvous at isolated icy map references. Wise in the ways of the Army — *‘Hu ry up and wait” — he wore layer upon layer of high-quality civilian windproOfness, waterproofness, and antifreeze, as well as the standard Army boots, long underwear, battledress, balaclava, and three pairs of socks. He looked like that tubby inner-tube man who advertised a brand Of motor tyre. Was he comfortable, while others

less prepafed froze to death? No. Others less prepared had actually come to the last parade, when the posted programme had been altered. Petrol shortages. Brightly lit, in upholstered chairs on carpet, under glowing gas heaters, his fellow soldiers relaxed at ease, elegant in tailored terylene skirts (the women) and single thicknesses of gaberdine (the men). He sat and sweated. He couldn’t even remove his balaclava helmet, but pulled it on more firmly. Be sure your sins will find you out. Under the balaclava there was hidden a criminally non-regulation haircut. And even more criminally, a very much more non-regulation gold ear ring.