Sadly, a young National Serviceman’s mother died suddenly while he was undertaking basic training. The unit Commanding Officer called the Regimental Sergeant Major and asked him to break the news to recruit Jones. The RSM advised Jones’ Platoon Sergeant that he would address their parade the next morning. After the Sergeant ordered the platoon to fall in, and roll call was taken, the RSM stepped forward. “Platoon, atten-shun!!” he bellowed out. “All recruits with two living parents, one pace forward, MARCH!!” “Recruit Jones! As you were!!!”
