Never forget the sacrifices of WW1
■ Reading the stories and seeing the colourised pictures of the First World War has really brought home the horrors faced by these young men in this dreadful conflict. This war, more than any other of the 20th century, was utterly senseless.
Started by warmongers and militarists, it was waged by upper class generals who cared nothing for the working class lads they sent to their deaths. We must never forget their sacrifice.
Mike Hopkins
Penzance, Cornwall
■ Soon it will be 100 years since the First World War came to its bloody conclusion. All of us should be eternally grateful to those young men, many just boys, who fought on our behalf to create a better world for us to live in.
Many who went to wage battle against the enemy in foreign fields knew in their hearts there was a chance they would not return.
So let all of us give a great big thank you for the sacrifice they made on our behalf and wish them peace and God’s love.
When will we ever learn? George Baker
Bishop Auckland, Co Durham
■ This week we are remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country 100 years ago. They fought for freedom, equality and a better world for us all to live in.
One hundred years on, we have none of this to celebrate. We are not free to be on the streets, we are definitely not equal to those who hold the purse strings and, in my opinion, every year this country becomes a much worse place to live.
Where is the land of hope and glory those young men fought and died for?
Isabel Houghton, Chorley, Lancs
■ This Remembrance Sunday is a poignant one as it’s the centenary of the end of the First World War. But for me, as an Afghanistan veteran, it’s all the more so as it will be the last I shall attend.
For while the ceremony commands that those who served be “remembered” and “respected”, they have all too clearly been betrayed by the state.
So many veterans, who the establishment purports to be “amongst the best”, have been betrayed in respect of their welfare and mental health. The official ceremony pays lip service, but it is merely empty words – slogans for selling militarism in support of dubious foreign policy.
John Boulton
Tunbridge Wells, Kent ■ As we approach the commemorations to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War, wouldn’t it be an appropriate moment for the Royal Family to offer an apology for the role their ancestors played in helping to start one of most futile and catastrophic conflicts in history? Unlike those innocent poor souls who were gassed to death in the trenches on the Somme, at Passchendaele, Ypres and elsewhere, I will not be holding my breath. Cliff Butler, Denton Manchester
■ Our armed and civilian services place themselves in mortal danger on a regular basis. And as we approach the centenary of the end of the First World War it is appropriate to recognise their sacrifices. I have submitted a petition to institute a UK medal like the US Purple Heart for members of the both UK armed and civilian services wounded or killed in their duties. Please add your signature at www. petition.parliament. uk/petitions/222919. Russell Sullman East London