The British Grenadiers, a symbol of British phlegm, redoubtable courage and fetish for nice shiny boots for several centuries have a cherry problem.
The regiment recently took delivery of a consignment of new summer uniforms. Unfortunately the shade was a tad off and that will not do at all.
We should mention the summer uniform consists of silly hats made of bearskin, black trousers, nice, shiny boots and the scarlet jackets that the Guards regiments are famed for. The winter uniform is the same except the scarlet jackets are replaced by grey overcoats.
When the new summer uniforms were inspected the officers were horrified to find that instead of brave, brash, manly, military scarlet the jackets were a very girlie shade of cerise. Given the reputation of Guards officers for frequenting the cottages of South West One this was not good.
How could such a cock up on the clothing front occur?
Well it seems the regiment invited the former Home Secretary David Blunkett to select the colour. They did not think that one through did they?
(for the benefit of non British readers, David Blunkett is blind.