Relax, GIlles.... I think what they're trying to say is that as much as they admire your friend's spirit, the fact is that there were very few people in this society in 1943 who carried that kind of weight - and thus, very hard to find period clothing for them, especially uniforms. Regardless of the jokes about just needing a pulse to get into the army (and even then some would doubt that
), there
were standards of fitness and health which I frankly doubt someone with a 66" chest and 52" waist could pass - hence the humour. I'm sorry if that offended you, but the fact is, I daresay the average Canadian soldier in WW2 would stand about 5'8" and be about 140 lbs (if that), which translates to about a 36" chest and 30" waist (if that).
Cheers,
Geoff