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While finding the commemorations at Ypres and Paschendale on Sunday and yesterday most moving, I am minded that on these occasions no mention is ever made of the thousands of young German casualities also suffering the same privations.

Perhaps after 100 years we may find it fitting that in the Christian spirit of forgiveness, to speak of other mothers’ sons who lie in the German cemeteries nearby who made the ultimate sacrifice, no matter how misplaced the motive. It is distressing to learn that the Veterans First organisation is endangered – for all its demonstrable success it now be starved of funds because the Libor funds are nearly exhausted.

However, it is gratifying to learn that the Scottish Government is minded to do what it can to ensure the future of this organisation which does such valuable work with our traumatised war heroes. These wounded men and women deserve our everlasting gratitude for being willing and prepared to put themselves in harm’s way to protect us lesser mortals.

But it is distressing to see Westminster – by whose authority and command, these veterans, our armed forces, were placed at peril of life and mind – now abrogating their responsibility for their future. Surely the MOD has a responsibility of duty to these heroes to ensure the best of treatment to tackle their trauma and to ensure all possible help to provide for their ongoing health. If the government can find the money to ensure their own political survival, is it too much to ask that they find the cash to honour our obligation to the self-sacrifice of our veterans in their distress on our behalf?

BRIAN RATTRAY Gylemuir Road, Corstorphine