I READ with considerable interest Ian Drury's column titled "Is the axe about to fall on Hoon?" (July 23).

In it Mr Drury wrote with some compassion regarding the cutbacks, amalgamations and the big regiments as they affect the infantry.

As one who has spent 33 years in the infantry and has been through two major amalgamations with my regiment involving five regiments in total, I would urge all infantrymen past and present to voice their opposition to this regimental execution.

This is not the time for any regiment to sit back, shrug and pretend it isn't going to happen. Unless we stand together and be firm in our resolve to do all we can to stop the formation of these big American-style regiments, then the traditions of such Yorkshire regiments as the Duke of Wellington's, the Green Howards and the Prince of Wales's Own will disappear.

Make no mistake about that, there will be no room in the big regiment for old regimental sentimentality.

Once again I say stop the big regiment from being formed for I would no more like to see any of these famous Yorkshire regiments go than I would my own regiment - the Queen's Lancashire Regiment.

George W Bateson, Capt Rtd,

Moorland Garth,

Strensall, York.

Updated: 10:01 Thursday, July 29, 2004