"Scaley" in Seven Troop by McNab

[konungursvia]

Question for SAS troopers, British Military and others:

I'm reading Seven Troop by Andy McNab, and a few times he has used the term "Scaley".

Clearly he is referring to some sort of military personnel apart from the SAS and SBS -- a mate named Nish explains he is not guilty of revealing his SAS role by virtue of having claimed to be a Scaley.

Online I see a few conflicting definitions, such as a married army member.

Anyone know what is meant in this book?

Thanks in advance.

[Tdol]

This site suggests it is down to WW1 leaky battery acid: Scaleybacks

[konungursvia]

Thanks for that idea. I have some doubt about battery acid, but if they are Royal Signalers, that makes sense given the radio scale or dial.

[Tdol]

The etymology might be dodgy, but they seem clear on who the term refers to.

BTW, is the book good?

[konungursvia]

It is quite good. McNab was billed as being "of the quality of Forsyth" (not quite); it's pretty interesting. I prefer his fiction though, having read 3 or 4 novels of his over the last month or two. There's nothing like the Day of the Jackal, however, for suspense, in my humble...