It was a pact that only a true friend would keep.
Before one of them was sent to fight in Afghanistan for the British Army, they made a deal: If one of them died, the other had to wear a dress to the funeral.
So when Barry Delaney turned up to the graveside funeral of best friend Private Kevin Elliott, he did so wearing a tight fluorescent dress, The Times reports.
The green dress was matched with equally bright pink leg warmers and black hiking boots.
Family and friends of the soldier, who was in the Army's Black Watch battalion, were believed to have been warned in advance of the pact - and Mr Delaney's intention of fulfilling it.
Mr Delaney wept on his knees during the Scottish service for Private Elliott, who was killed while on foot patrol last month. He was aged 24.
Fellow soldiers wore their regimental uniforms, while others at the funeral donned T-shirts featuring a large picture of Private Elliott in his combat fatigues.
The soldier's father, Sandy Elliott, said it was the saddest day of his life when he heard about his death.
"Kevin was a grandson, a brother, a nephew, an uncle and a cousin, but more than anything he was our son," he said.
"And although some things he did annoyed us, I can’t remember being anything but proud of him.
"The saddest day of our lives was hearing he had died - something no parent wants to hear.
"But for 24 years Kevin brought joy to our lives."
Source
