The boots in question are not the ones Richardson set on fire. He put boot polish on them and the lit it in order to get them shiner with the least effort.
Instead it is Lilley standing for his beliefs, literally. Corporal Marsh has nailed his boots to the floor because Lilley would not tell a mucky joke.
Lilley fails to swear or blaspheme. Not even a mild swear word.
Standing on one spot, he misses out on spotted dick and even going to the toilet and he is desperate to go.
The rest of the lads feel sorry for Lilley. Even though they had earlier sent him to Coventry for all the extra hours he has got them for giving Marsh backchat.
It might be Lilley has a martyr complex or the writers make a point about army bullying against someone who is different.
It allows actor Gerard Ryder to shine.