I WAS a serving member of the First Battalion XX The Lancashire Fusiliers for 10 years. My grandfather was also a serving member and was at Gallipoli, Ypres and Vimy Ridge.

I was therefore appalled to read about Walter Jones being "asked to leave" the annual Gallipoli parade because he was "too slow".

If the individual concerned, said to be an "official of the Rochdale branch", was himself an LF he should be stripped of the privilege and honour of calling himself a Lancashire Fusilier and be made to publicly apologise to Walter and his wife. Not only did this man insult Walter and his wife, he insulted the very men that Walter Jones was honouring by being on that parade and those who are no longer with us.

If it were not for men like Walter and those who gave their lives in the two world wars, we would not be enjoying the freedom we have. We owe a lot to these men.

I hope that Captain John O'Grady finds the culprit and we all get to know what harsh treatment he receives. It would be nice to know the opinions of other servicemen, especially Lancashire Fusiliers.

EX-LF