IN the matter of war and remembrance, I missed W Soley's remarks (Letters, November 2), but did read his critics who used all the hackneyed phrases which I, too, used to be brought up with.

I do not wish to criticise the critics as they also believe in what they say. But what are they compared with Mr Leslie Jones (Letters, November 17)?

My grandfather was an engineer in the Merchant Navy and was torpedoed twice. We never quite believed his 'yarn' that our shipwrecked sailors in their lifeboats were handed blankets, schnapps, even a compass and apologies by German U-boat crews -- because our propaganda had fed us exclusively stories of enemy cruelties.

But apart from dispelling some of the myth about the Hun, Mr Jones is also a giant of insight on the utter folly and senselessness of nearly all warfare. If we could make the 'magnates' of commerce and politics fight their own damned wars, the world would be a better place for it.

Your letter, Mr Jones, is my kind of Letter of the Year. I am glad I read it.

BARBARA STUART (Mrs), Lord's Stile Lane, Bromley Cross.