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Agatha
16th September 2009, 06:09 AM
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6836190.ece

What a wonderful way to remember a friend.
Cainkane1
16th September 2009, 06:29 AM
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6836190.ece

What a wonderful way to remember a friend.
Lifes full of tradgedys.
LONGTABBER PE
16th September 2009, 06:34 AM
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6836190.ece

What a wonderful way to remember a friend.

You would be surprised at some of the "final promises" soldiers in combat make.

This isnt a case of where somebody just "up and did it" for some kind of a statement- if that were the case, I would think it very insulting and distasteful.

For whatever the reason, 2 soldiers came up with something this "whatever" and they agreed to it. Death Pacts are extremely common here and have been in every war.

I think it a high sign of respect that he followed thru with his promise.
HarryKeogh
16th September 2009, 07:00 AM
Wouldn't a simple black dress have been more tasteful?
madurobob
16th September 2009, 07:11 AM
Wouldn't a simple black dress have been more tasteful?

Thank you. I was thinking the same thing. Simple black dress, wide brimmed black had. Black gloves.

Do people have no fashion sense any more?

And, BTW, the photo of the soldier in a dress crying, while a bit overly voyeuristic, nearly brought a tear to my eye. It sucks to lose a brother.
Big Les
16th September 2009, 11:32 AM
The chap in the dress is emphatically NOT a soldier.
linusrichard
16th September 2009, 05:53 PM
The chap in the dress is emphatically NOT a soldier.

Why emphatically?
UnrepentantSinner
16th September 2009, 11:14 PM
What a bittersweet story. I wonder from the photo if he chose that ensemble to try and bring a little levity to the situation (like a wake), but was overwhelmed by the sorrow over losing his friend.

The chap in the dress is emphatically NOT a soldier.

I didn't see anything in the story indicating he was currently serving, but he has a military style haircut so it's possible he was previously enlisted.
arthwollipot
16th September 2009, 11:19 PM
Good on him.
madurobob
17th September 2009, 05:04 AM
I didn't see anything in the story indicating he was currently serving, but he has a military style haircut so it's possible he was previously enlisted.

That's the conclusion I jumped to. I saw the pic and "soldier" registered in my mind as I read the rest of the story. Big Les is correct, though, that he is not identified as a soldier in the story (and I'm pretty sure he would have been if any such connection could have been made).
Big Les
17th September 2009, 01:51 PM
I didn't see anything in the story indicating he was currently serving, but he has a military style haircut so it's possible he was previously enlisted.

That's not a military style haircut by UK standards. For all I know he has been in the army, but he's rather young to have been in and out again.
roger
17th September 2009, 01:54 PM
Why emphatically?Read the article. It's private Elliot and Mr. Delaney.

No military rank. No soldier.
zerospeaks
17th September 2009, 02:04 PM
Now I gotta figure out a way me and my friends can top this!
linusrichard
17th September 2009, 02:27 PM
Read the article. It's private Elliot and Mr. Delaney.

No military rank. No soldier.

Right, which is why I didn't ask why "not." I asked why "emphatically."

Specifically, what is "The chap in the dress is emphatically NOT a soldier" intended to convey that "The chap in the dress is not a soldier" does not?
Big Les
18th September 2009, 12:07 PM
Odd turn of phrase perhaps, but what was in my mind when I typed that was "a (serving) soldier wouldn't wear that to a funeral, regardless of any notional pact".

I could be wrong on that of course, but even if it's conceivable in the minds of the soldiers themselves, I defy anyone to find any past instance of a serving UK soldier wearing anything other than the appropriate uniform to a military funeral.
linusrichard
18th September 2009, 04:08 PM
Odd turn of phrase perhaps, but what was in my mind when I typed that was "a (serving) soldier wouldn't wear that to a funeral, regardless of any notional pact".

I could be wrong on that of course, but even if it's conceivable in the minds of the soldiers themselves, I defy anyone to find any past instance of a serving UK soldier wearing anything other than the appropriate uniform to a military funeral.

Thanks!