The unbelievable is about to happen in the modern, cost-conscious British Army.

Officers, warrant officers and sergeants are to share the same building in the Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Strensall, near York, in a tradition-busting, cost-cutting experiment.

It will be followed by the unthinkable: a new dining room built alongside for corporals, lance corporals and privates - the junior ranks. Everyone will be fed from the same enlarged and modernised kitchens.

The barracks, one of the most modern in Britain when built in the mid-30s, has housed famous infantry regiments over the years.

It is now the headquarters of 34 Field Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps, which distinguished itself in recent years in the Gulf War and Bosnia. Most of the unit is still on active, humanitarian service there.

There have always been two separate messes at Strensall for officers and senior other ranks, 500 yards apart.

Soon the 17-bedroom Officers' Mess will be converted into two separate messes with a communal entrance and kitchen. The 12-bedroom Sergeants' Mess will be used by the TA. Last night, a major from a famous infantry regiment, who did not wish to be named, said: I'm horrified if this is a pattern for the future. It goes against long-established traditions and has nothing to do with snobbery.

"Officers and senior NCOs value the independence of their own mess. In Civvy Street you don't see bosses living next door to their foremen and workers. Putting everyone close together is sure to create real problems."

Lt Col Mike Stephens MBE, commanding 34 Field Ambulance, who rose from the ranks, said: "Of course, we will do everything we can to preserve the identity and ethos of the separate messes.

"In principle, I'm not unhappy. Great savings will be made putting the basic infrastructure, the admin and catering, under one roof."

David Gulliver, civilian mess manager for both, a former RAF man, says there are now only two officers living in the 17-bedroom mess. The sergeants' mess with 12 bedrooms has only six living in.

"Bringing them together will cut costs while maintaining quality of service," he said.

Staff Sergeant Gary Dolman, 33, with 15 years' service, said: "It will seem strange being so close together, but it should not affect the traditions of either mess."

see COMMENT 'Messing in'

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