1. At some time during their school days, every British child learns the story of a Scottish King [lower case, except when preceeding 'Bruce'] of many, many years ago—Robert the Bruce—and his encounter with a small spider.

13. We marched to the Armory, where each of us was given a great gob of grease, inside which (we were assured) was a .303 caliber Lee-Enfield military rifle.

18. Next day our training continued, with close-order drills and various marching formations on the Parade Ground. This "square bashing" was made more difficult by the addition of our rifles. We learned to "Slope Arms" (place our rifles on our shoulders), "Order Arms" (take them off), "Present," "Port," and the "Rifle Salute."

23. The Parade Ground was crowded with participating soldiers assembled by platoon and company. After the sergeants had made their reports regarding their charges, we stood at attention awaiting inspection by our Platoon Lieutenant.

24. The procedure for inspecting our rifles was as follows. Upon the command, "For Inspection, Port Arms!" we were required to bring our weapons diagonally across our bodies, the muzzle to the left about head-high and the butt held in the right hand a little below our waists. At the same time, we had to open the bolt to expose the breach.


28. Grabbing the rifle from my hands, he presented the muzzle to my eye, sticking his own thumb into the breach. for my inspection.


34. The Lieutenant thrust the weapon into my hands and turned to Sgt. Parker.

36. So, predictably, I was charged and soon found myself in the Company Commanders' office and, also predictably, was awarded several more days of "Confined to Barracks with Extra Duty." And for the rest of my training, the Lieutenant never missed an opportunity to check my rifle barrel.