Whiskey,
I would agree wholeheartedly with your comments. I have always found ex-Services personnel helpful in the extreme when it comes to research. It also works both ways.
Barry,
very many thanks for your latest submission, that throws a different light on the matter and is the most constructive suggestion so far. Most would argue 'why advertise your illustrious presence on the battlefield'? but I feel that Service protocol demanded it during WWII. Were you a Yeoman of Signals by any chance?