It's interesting that Reg and Laurie ever become friends. For one thing, I don't think Laurie's very good at making friends. And I'm sure that Laurie's obvious middle-class origins were a barrier between him and most of the other men he served with.

Reg works so hard to be understanding (I keep remembering the bit where he's pleased to learn that Laurie is keeping his independence and not letting his "officer friend" spend money on him!) and the more I think about Laurie dropping him, the more irritated at Laurie I get.