Other "indicators" of weirdness

His breast pocket is unbuttoned, and it appears (from the lay) that his thigh pocket is also unbuttoned, which leads me to believe that it is entirely likely ALL of his pockets are unbuttoned.

This guy is all ate up like a soup sandwich, to the point that I have trouble believing ANY WO or NCO would let him walk past without "counseling", even if (as sometimes happens in specialist outfits with "uniformed civilians"), this Private was some kind of technical genius "essential to the unit". And if he was some sort of new officer (directly commissioned from civilian life for some wizardly skill only he could provide), SURELY some company officer would have taken him aside for the "Don't piss in the potted plants" discussion, even if there was no time for more formal training. (And I have no indications that such commissions were ever used in Canadian service -- although I know some Americans boffins got "instant commissions" for "the needs of the Service" without any military training whatsoever.)

I have no proof but if I had to bet; I would say (regardless of the caption ID'ing him as a Private) that he is a civilian someone (with no forethought) decided to stuff into a uniform to make him "stand out less" in a military environment, and completely overlooked the national title reg (perhaps never having run into it personally before). And (as usually happens when someone has a bright idea like this), they made him stand out MORE -- I'll bet Luftwaffe Regular NCOs could spot this guy from the air during night raids. A British or Canadian WO could probably smell him from a block away. (grin)

Again -- PURE SPECULATION. Which isn't a candle to someone actually doing real research into his story.