I'VE written a book – Suez: The Hidden Truth – which details those turbulent years of the Suez campaign of the early 1950s, when thousands of troops, many on National Service were sent to defend the canal zone, often facing appalling conditions.

Even though many of the men who died were only in their teens, we were inexplicably denied a medal, unlike soldiers serving in other campaigns or actions. Now, after a long campaign, this injustice has been righted.

Many Suez veterans – now in their 70s – are delighted with the award of this belated medal, but it is a travesty that it wasn't issued at the time. Hence – it might have been of some comfort to the next-of-kin of the lads who lost their lives and are buried in the sand at British Military cemeteries in Egypt.

Indeed, from this failed adventure, can anything be learned today in the context of Afganistan? As in the Suez conflict, brave men are dying once more.

– John Hunt, 14 Carrfield, Bamber Bridge, Preston,?Lancs PR5 8BS.