LAST week in the Letters column there was a letter from Brian Hunt, of Bamber Bridge, who said he had written a book about Suez in the early 50s.

As I was in Suez from 1952-54 in the East Lancashire Regiment, I would like to read his book.

Also I would like your readers' opinions on what is a veteran? According to the dictionary it is an ex-member of the armed services especially skilled in war.

The new veterans' badge by the Ministry of Defence in 2004 is inscribed HM Armed Forces Veteran in recognition of the contributions made by these servicemen.

So why then does Ivor Caplin, Minister for Veterans' Affairs, say they must only go to veterans of World War One (all being over 100 years of age) and World War Two, those who served for five years?

Does that mean servicemen and women of post-World War Two operations, Suez, Korea, Cyprus, Aden, Malaya, Falklands, most of who were national servicemen, serving less than five years, are not veterans.

Surely all who served in uniform for Queen and country are veterans and are eligible to wear this badge.

D H ASPEN, Butts Mount, Great Harwood.