In the late 60's the ship I was serving in was the British rep at the Cannes film festival, along with the French, Septics, Belgians, and German,s.
Each ship put a guard out on the festival building doors, in rotation.
On our night me and my oppo were braced up like a pair of peacock's,.. full No6's, boots and gaiters belts, the ish.
We had been told to give a butt salute to everyone coming in.
As the evening progressed, we were getting lashed up to fcuk by all and every one, and Wally my oppo is becoming really p*ssed, so that when (I think it was Tatum O'Neil) comes up he drops his trolleys and gives her a real butt salute.
The septics are going crusty about the RN being amateur's and ill disciplined animals.
Skipper not at all impressed and tells us, wally 7 day's Nines.
Next night Septics show us how its done, except,...................................
Step is nice and clean outside hall, and just to make sure, two stokers have given it a real good polish.
Septic snaps to attention, skids across step, goes careering forwards straight off step into crowd, ...grabs at someone to break fall tears off a geezers shirt,.... rips a dress front open and puts a bird in hospital with cracked ribs when he lands on top.
Next night French stay at bottom of steps and all is well.
Daily orders contain a warning about the use of any polish aboard except Glift and Gleam.
