IN answer to your question -- How would you say who should be eligible to be called a veteran? My answer would be anyone male or female that served in the armed service in a country where any conflict takes place while you are a serving member of the armed forces.

I spent two-and-a-half years serving in the Middle East mainly in the Canal Zone and Cyprus.

All the time I was out there we were on active service.

If you were allowed out of the camp you had to be in groups of four or more at all times.

We used to have guards to take pupils to and from school.

When we were on bus guard to had to carry stun guns and be prepared to use them.

We also had guard duties. We had to be on guard all night watching the outside of the camp, when you came off guard in the morning you got two hours and then you had to go and do your usual day's work.

Guard duties came round usually every seven to nine days. If you did anything wrong and were put on a charge the words 'While on active service' were put on the charge sheet.

E LIGHTBOWN, Formby Close, Blackburn.