Britain's new army chief General Sir Peter Wall is said to have forked out 1,000 pounds for his new uniform to fit his "overweight" body, weighing 127 kgs. 55-year-old General Wall, who took over as Chief of the General Staff this week and is known as a "big eater", was measured up for a new service dress uniform at a cost of 1,000 pounds, which he paid for himself, the 'Daily Mail' reported.
A military source said: "A tailor had to come into the office because the jacket and trousers on the old one were too small for him. The general is a very big, imposing man, but you would never tell him that."
A keen rugby player in his youth, the burly ex-Paratrooper, nicknamed "the Bear", is known to enjoy his food and likes a drink with dinner. His favourite tipples are whisky and wine.
In his previous role as Commander in Chief of Land Forces, General Wall ordered a review of physical training of troops to prepare them for combat in Afghanistan. The popular 165,000-pound-a-year General is regarded as one of the military's best brains and served as the head of operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
All officers and soldiers are supposed to pass an annual battle fitness test but Sir Peter has not had one for ten years. He has never been turned away from action. When he was pictured at an Airborne Forces parade in Colchester, Essex, in July, his uniform certainly appeared close fitting.
{{/usCountry}}All officers and soldiers are supposed to pass an annual battle fitness test but Sir Peter has not had one for ten years. He has never been turned away from action. When he was pictured at an Airborne Forces parade in Colchester, Essex, in July, his uniform certainly appeared close fitting.
{{/usCountry}}An Army source said: "Sir Peter used to be super-fit when he played rugby, but his job now is as a commander and strategist rather than serving in a more active operational role. His size certainly has no effect on his abilities to carry out his duties."