MtheGM,

Hmm, I'd be surprised if Junior NCOs ever referred to their charges as "my sons". "Lads", yes, when being extra nice, "you 'orrible shower of bastards", yes, "you miserable wankers" yes, "my sons"...unlikely!

I was "beasted" around the Common last night by a PTI who on at least 3 occasions informed us that his 4 year old son could do it better than that. And in "We Joined The Navy" the officer cadets can't wait to meet the little daughter of Chief Gunner Mr Froud, since she was obviously such a physical and mental prodigy. And my grandad's war diary makes several mentions of corporals having very talented children. In my mind there's little doubt that this tendency is what the song refers to.