I'M surprised Malcolm Baylis admits to burning his RAF uniform (February 20). We were ordered to hand everything back although you were given the option to buy your boots.

I had just completed a six year engineering apprenticeship on pay of £6.10 shillings a week, when I was 'called up' to do National Service from 1958-1960, immediately my pay 'working for the Queen' was reduced to £1.10s a week.

After two weeks' training at Aldershot, ten weeks at Blandford Forum then Retford Tank Transport Training Company I was sent to Germany for the rest of the tour with 123 Company Tank Transport Co.

We travelled all over Germany delivering Centurion Tanks, sleeping and living on them.

I've walked across the Mona Dam (Dambusters fame) and had chilling experiences when we found ourselves at Belson Concentration Camp.

National Service took two years out of my life, it wasn't all wonderful and I wouldn't want my grandsons to have to do it now, but we certainly experienced life, made some wonderful life-long friendships and were all in it together.

We didn't want to be there but made the best of it. Whenever I meet an 'old soldier' now there's an immediate comradeship and tales to tell.

Peter Egan,

(L/Cpl 23578773)

North Lane,

Malton Road,

York.

Updated: 16:33 Friday, March 07, 2003