I'VE written a book -- Suez: The Hidden Truths, which details those turbulent years of the early 50s in the Suez Canal Zone of Egypt, where thousands of mostly national servicemen were posted to defend a 'strip of water' against a hostile and barbaric foe in absolutely appalling conditions.

Moreover, although there were many lads killed who were only in their teens, we were denied a medal for some inexplicable reason which I have tried to address.

However, due to a small band of dedicated Suez activists, this miscarriage of justice has been righted -- after many years of campaigning -- against a contentious Whitehall and overwhelming odds, with the chief architect being Ex-W01 Charles Golder MBE.

Incidentally, many Suez veterans -- all in their seventies -- are delighted with the award of this belated medal, but it really is a travesty that it wasn't issued at the time and in particular for the next of kin of those lads who lost their lives and are buried in the sand at British military cemeteries in Egypt and other veterans who have passed on over the years since.

Indeed, this forgotten part of our history must be revived and kept alive for future generations.

Hence, while other conflicts have been given due coverage, the Suez Canal Zone Emergency has been ignored.

Britain has traditionally treated its soldiers very badly -- one is reminded of the lines of Rudyard Kipling:

"It's Tommy this and Tommy

that

And kick him out, the brute.

But it's saviour of his country

When the guns begin to shoot."

JOHN HUNT, Ex-Suez veteran, Carrfield, Bamber Bridge.