Fight for Illustrious

SIR – Three cheers for David Campbell Bannerman’s suggestion (Letters, May 10) that HMS Illustrious be saved as a floating memorial to the Falklands war.

I was serving in the Cabinet Office at the time of the campaign, and I know only too well how heavily the odds were stacked against the small but potent force we sent to fight on the other side of the world.

The carriers, of which only Illustrious remains, were vital to the defence of the force and in support of operations onshore. David Cameron should show something of Margaret Thatcher’s guts and stick to his promise to preserve this icon. Cdr Alan York RN (retd) Sheffield, South Yorkshire SIR – Britain already has a floating memorial to the Cold War and the Falklands campaign – HMS Courageous, which is to be reopened as an exhibit in HM Naval Base, Devonport next month.

Courageous has been seen as the ugly duckling of Royal Navy museums. Her fine state of presentation today is the result of the dedicated work of a small number of volunteers.

While not as famous as Conqueror, Courageous played a key role in the Falklands war and completed one of the longest patrols. In order to be saved for the nation, funds need to be secured to allow for her presentation on dry land or in dry dock, with easy access for the public. Capt D G Wixon RN (retd) President, HMS Courageous Association Yelverton, Devon