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'.
His lawyer admitted in court it was a 'spectacular fall from grace' for the previously respected soldier. RSM Ransley admitted disorderly behaviour and as punishment lost his title and was demoted from Warrant Officer Class 1 to Warrant Officer Class 2 by his Commanding Officer, the court martial heard. Details of his case emerged at Bulford Military Court, Wilts, as he tried to overturn his demotion.
But a judge dismissed his appeal, stating that he should have been setting the standards. The court heard RSM Ransley was the Infantry Battle School's alcohol policy adviser and his very presence at the Oktoberfest party was hoped to act as a deterrent against excessive drinking.
The Oktoberfest event was held for both civilians and military personnel on Saturday, October 16, last year in the warrant officer and sergeants' mess at the Battle School. RSM Ransley, who wore brown lederhosen with long Bavarian style socks, had a meeting with senior soldiers prior to the event over fears about excessive drinking. But after getting 'too drunk', he had an accident which left the socks covered in excrement and though he removed them, it was still smeared on his legs.
The hearing was told: "(RSM) Ransley was responsible for setting and maintaining standards at the school. His position held authority and he was the alcohol policy holder. He met with the staff sergeant as the function was to be the first since Covid. The risk of excessive alcohol consumption was considered.
"Control measures to control such a risk was to have him there with senior members to deter that indulgence. There was a lot of alcohol available. Throughout the evening, he was given advice from others saying that he had faeces on his legs, that he needed to clean himself up and that he should not return.
"He was in the toilet and he stood up as someone else entered and soiled himself. He then fell into it. He was repeatedly told by other senior members that not only pointed out the faeces on his leg, but advised him to leave and sleep off the alcohol.
"He continued to return to the function despite being physically escorted to a private room. He was taken there two times. He failed to do this and returned again with faeces on his leg. The smell and sight was causing distress to others.
"Eventually he did not come back. Subsequently, two members of the mess go to the room and check on him. He is found lying on the floor. There was a strong smell of vomit and faeces. They then lifted him onto the bed and put him in the recovery position as a precaution."
The court was told he missed work on Monday and failed to help clean up the mess as the cubicle, the walls of the room and mattress where he slept were all soiled. Matthew Bolt, defending, told the hearing now WO2 Ransley was deeply remorseful and asked the court to not let this lack of judgement 'blight the rest of his life'.
Mr Bolt said: "This was an isolated incident with a spectacular lack of judgement. He received good advice to leave the function and he should have taken it. He was not on duty. It was not an active deterrent role, but rather if all the seniors were there that their presence would have a deterrent effect. The man who stands before you is deeply remorseful, the most evidence of that is his immediate guilty plea in front of his commanding officer."
Although Judge Advocate Robert Hill accepted WO2 Ransley was mortified by the event, he dismissed his appeal. Judge Hill said: "The appellant got plainly very drunk. The crux of the case and the charge of unfitness through drink is on three separate occasions he came back with excrement on his clothing. This was extremely offensive. He was asked to leave the room and to go and clean himself up. It is accepted that he was the person in charge who would have been expected to deal with the behaviour he was indulging in."
WO2 Ransley has previously been awarded the operational service medal, the Queen's Platinum Jubilee medal, plus a medal for service in Iraq.
