I REFER to Mr Keith Ratcliffe's letter of February 27. If he has questions on the Middle East or British Forces in Palestine I expect I could answer them.

I have served there in the army from 1945 to 1948. What Israel's wholesale warfare against the Palestinians is to do with fox hunting beats me. As for prancing about with a banner, during WWII, I had drill instruction from NCO in the Glosters Wiltshires and after from drill sergeants in the Brigade of Guards in Palestine and although I am now 77 years young and not as fit as I was then, when I am carrying a banner I am certainly not prancing about as you put it and if you think I was you should take a trip up to the new hospital they do a nice line in redlaser eye treatment there.

It is my opinion that the British have their noses in other countries too long, go get our service people out now and let the Arabs sort their own affairs out or do you think we need to fill up some more Middle East cemeteries with our dead?

ALLAN THIPTHORPE

Kirkstall Close

Toothill

Swindon