Quick march!

THE Royal Navy taking part in the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace is a clear indication of how things have changed.

During my years in the Fleet Air Arm, we were often reminded that: ‘The Royal Marines will march past, the Royal Navy will walk past and the Fleet Air Arm will get past the best way they can.’

We had squadrons of fast jets, naval air stations and the only aircraft carriers in the world to have steam catapults. The flight deck was one of the most hazardous, yet most disciplined, workplaces to be. But we didn’t march very well! BRIAN CHRISTLEY, Abergele, Conwy. NOW I know how bad the defence cuts are. Is the Navy guarding Buckingham Palace because we have no planes for the new aircraft carrier sitting in Portsmouth?

BOB REEVES, Billericay, Essex.