Question Author
Well thanks for all your answers, I must now hold my hands up and admit that seeing I am very much in the minority, I must therfore concede defeat in this debate, and retire to fight another day.
But in summing up, I would like to give the following answers to these abers.
sp1814- I never mentioned removing hats in Church, but yes you are right, it is customery for women to wear hats in Church. The deceased soldier was a local lad but not a Sikh.
ThisSpace- I do not know if he was a close friend of the soldier, but if he was, even more reason to show respect for his friend's bereavement customs.
zimzam- Yes most things you say about the Sikhs I agree with, and I talk with some experience since a member of my family is married to one, because of this I have been to many Sikh functions, so I do not know where you gained your knowledge that they don't smoke or drink. believe me they can drink for England and India to boot, also smoke, and not only tobacco, I do believe.
Just one last question to all those that can see nothing wrong in not showing respect for each others religious customs:- If the Soldier had been a Sikh and his comrades where carrying his coffin into his Temple, would it be ok for them to keep their boots on? Yes or No.