Private Smith is marching around the parade ground with the other new recruits, when news comes of his mother's untimely demise:
Up steps the Sergeant Major, "Left, Right, Left, Right, Halt, Private Smith, one step forward....your mother is dead!"
Well, the shock and the brutal delivery of the news is just too much for the hapless recruit, and he collapses on the spot. He's carted away to the hospital and after a long period of care and councilling he is restored to the parade ground.
As is the case in such tales, news comes to the camp that Private Smiths father had passed away. Again the Sgt Major is tasked with breaking the news. However mindful of the disaster of last time, the Sgt Major is advised by the camp psychiatrist to break the news in a more gentle and compassionate way:
So the recruits are on parade and up steps the Sgt Major, "Left, Right, Left, Right, Halt. All those with fathers one step forward.....Private Smith just where do you think YOU'RE going!"