A Regimental Sergeant Major in charge of making sure his men didn't drink too much got so drunk at an Army Oktoberfest bash he soiled himself in his lederhosen, a court martial heard. RSM Michael Ransley was supposed to be 'responsible for setting and maintaining standards' but disgraced himself by getting into an embarrassing state.
The 40-year-old decorated veteran - the most senior soldier at the German-themed event - had an accident in the toilet which left the long Bavarian socks he was wearing covered in his own waste. Guests were left horrified by the 'smell and sight' of RSM Ransley - described in court as the 'epitome' of what a commander should be - as he repeatedly ignored advice to clean himself up.
The soldier of 24 years - who as a result of the incident was demoted - was in such a messy state at the Infantry Battle School in Brecon it was 'extremely offensive', the court martial heard. RSM Ransley, a father of three, had to be told to leave three times because he kept coming back after being escorted out and was eventually found passed out with 'a strong smell of vomit and faeces'.
