Talk:Pioneer sergeant

Folklore cited as fact, based on questionable reference source
References to the Pioneer sergeant's role (blacksmith; dispatching wounded horses) and appearance (beard)- [his duties] "included being the unit blacksmith. The beard was allowed in order to protect his face from the heat and the slag of the forge.[1] The axe was also used to kill horses that were wounded in battle." are without foundation.

The origin of the Pioneer sergeant's beard, apart, perhaps, from being copied the custom from the French army, has yet to be established while remaining the subject of much folklore, which does not stand up to scrutiny. The reference to killing horses confuses the pioneer's axe with that carried by farriers in cavalry regiments in order to carry out that duty.

The Australian reference for the facts offered is highly questionable. I have excised the relevant material. JF42 (talk) 15:21, 9 June 2016 (UTC)

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