Deaths are always a tragedy

The British Empire poem reminded me of taking flags to school on May 24, aged nine, not knowing how the empire was acquired or if all our invasions improved life for the native people.

The support of the Queen for the commonwealth of nations is surely progress.

Yes, good causes came out of the evil of war in the Falklands, but if the Government had not led Argentina to think we might lease them the islands, nor withdrawn all but one defence ship, war and loss might have been avoided.

"Invaders" are people sent by some leader. Young men join the forces to train to defend their country or for the lack of other employment. They have no say where they are sent.

Like the poet, I'm thankful for our own defenders against invasion, but I still remember criticism of Archbishop Runcie of Canterbury for his Christian wish for remembrance for the victims of both sides at a London service after the war.

Margaret Beckett, I feel, was also libelled by a nati-onal newspaper on its front page. Its respectable journalists must have been ashamed. One or two people had accused her of insulting our Falklands heroes as she too had expressed sadness for both sides. This was turned into a huge headline, without any quotation marks about her "insult".

This was the good person who held the fort after the sudden loss of John Smith, with competence and dignity. That front page was a disgrace. Did the "one or two" use their minds and hearts?

Whatever the nationality, death, wounds and bereavement are always a tragedy.

M Stringer, Bridgnorth