In a sign of how utterly desperate the Army is to increase numbers, it is now accepting rejoiners up to the age of 56!!

Not only does this include people of almost any rank but even those medically discharged will be considered on a 'case by case basis'.

The big question is of course whether the oldest private in the unit will still qualify for RSMs pay? He can probably use it to supplement his old age pension and free bus pass .....

Remember the days when the British Army had heavy metal in the sort of quantities that made the Russians sit up and take notice? The massive readiness exercises such as Lionheart in 1984 or Crusader 1980.

Of course, moving this amount of armour round Germany in tactical conditions inevitably led to some pretty impressive accidents and some very sad fatalities.

This is one of those great ARRSE threads where myths, memories and fact are brought together to shine a light on a period that is now largely forgotten.