Query: Punishing a Prankster

We currently have a situation where Pye has tarred and feathered (and done sundry other things) to a provost and been apprehended on suspicion of doing so.

It's the second time Pye's done something against the provosts - the first time was to push one of them into the river. I can't think if any way of having Vickery get Pye turned loose without some sort of punishment being threatened.

It was suggested that we hold a Company Court martial, mentioned here. Technically a 95th idea, I see no reason that the 60th would not have adopted it themselves.

Working like the more formal Regimental court martial system, the rifleman is tried by his peers - a president and two others, none of whom is above the rank of Corporal.

Punishments they can award are things like: Confinement to barracks (when in quarters), fining, having the coat turned (a symbol of disgrace, marked out by having the letter 'C' sewn to the sleeve, for which the defaulter paid fourpence), cobbing (spanking with a tailor's sleeve board or other similar flat wooden board, in front of the company and with a sergeant overseeing it, rather than as a flogging) and other similar, relatively minor, punishments.

Personally, I'm in favour of this, but I'd like to hear what other people think.

I like this idea. I think it would be fun to watch it written out (though obviously I couldn't participate!) and all. I really like the idea of having the coat turned, too. (Hey, Lucy can sew it! yeah yeah, I know, Maggie would probably do it xD )

The coat turning and/or a fine sound like the most suitable punishments to me. ^__^

I'm for a cobbing, personally, but we'll go with the majority vote..

Don't forget the rat! And the probable castration of said provost!

Erm, what I mean is if there will be a company court martial and not a standard one.. um probably either or the selection (a few) of the above mentioned. Cobbing - in favour of that. It seems there are several versions of it? Even with a sock of sand?? Anyway!

A sock of sand? Never heard that one before!

It's a good notion, though. *nods* So it's either a cobbing or having a C sewn on his jacket?

(We use socks with bars of soap when we cob folks these days actually.)

(Tailors' sleeve boards must be in short supply, then. )

(Something like.)

Sock of sand yes, though I read it about it being done by messmates on ships. Also possible with dirk, rope's end or cane, or flat piece of wooden board thing. The punishment consisted of being Cobbed or Firked and was carried out with either a stocking full of sand or half a bung stave of a cask, which instrument, owing to the bung hole, caused blisters on the posterior of the culprit. (that's what I got at least!)

I don't know how much of an effect a C alone would have on Pye being as he is actually proud of his achievement. Which he should not be! Ack.

In which case I vote for cobbing. And no, we're not using the bung-end of a barrel strake. I'm sure there are tailors around, or we can find a flat wooden board somewhere...

Having his coat turned would at least mark him out to any and all provosts who might want revenge...

We don't want that, though... do we?

*shrug*

What does C stand for, sewn on the coat?

I think it's Coat, as in Turned Coat, but that's only my reasoning; I've never come across a reference explaining it.

Do we, don't we? Will they know ? XD Let's do both? After all the provost will be chop choppy forever and ever!

It seems like the turned coat itself would be enough to show that...

Convicted? Court-martialed? Crankypants?

They don't actually turn the coat. It'd be far too uncomfortable with all the buttons on it - a Rifleman has 30 just down the front, after all. Not to mention it would be almost impossible to button and unbutton it.