Proud to wear my poppy

But I must reply to Mr PJ Cawkwell’s letter. I think your letter ‘Say no to this Red Poppy propaganda’ smacks off high hypocrisy. First you say serving this country is an honour then you slowly proceed to insult our past and present forces. From your past and present letters, I have no doubt your views on our forces are staunch and rigid. I would like to see this evidence you have seen.

First the black and tans, it shames me what they did, but so does the IRA killing of Michael Collins, two young boys in Warrington and the INLA killing of 17 including my friend from Rotherham, in the Bally Kelly bombing and the killing of Catholic band members. Any killing on either side is wrong for whatever reason.

This so called ‘Poppy Propaganda’ — I have never seen a poppy seller abuse anyone, but I have seen them abused and collection tins stolen and also red poppies burnt. No one is made to buy or wear a red poppy, it is a free choice. As for me I wear mine all year, I am sorry if this insults you or anyone. It is to remember all.

Finally your mis-informed insult about our forces being very right wing, I have never voted or supported any right wing party, Tories, UKIP, NF, BNP, EDL, Britain First or Right Wing News. Nor was I ever made to vote that way in the army or told how to vote and our forces are never taught to be right wing. Freedom is a person’s choice or not to choose what they see fit.

You may ask Sir “Why did you join the Army?”  I was not made to by any recruitment office or personnel or propaganda. I did because I was not brave enough to go down the pit or good enough to be part of the steel industry as my family did. I chose to serve my country.

As for fighting a clean war, there is no such thing in any terrorist'=’s mind, but me and our present forces, do follow general convention and strict engagement rules. Those who have not done so shame me.

May God protect our serving armed forces and God Bless those who gave their ultimate gifts of Love and Life for others. I am proud to wear my Red Poppy, always.

Russell Ian Williams, Broom Court, Rotherham