MISS Anna Homsi, the partner of SAS Trooper Brad Tinnion who was killed in action has stirred up a hornet's nest. She wishes to be treated financially like other - albeit real - war widows.

Does the young woman really know what she is saying? I very much doubt it.

Heaven help Miss Homsi if she "wishes" to be in receipt of 28 shillings and sixpence a week war widows pension, and eleven shillings a week for her young child.

The word "compensation" is not in our vocabulary and nor did we war widows threaten to sue the war ministry.

Miss Homsi would be expected to look for a full-time job and pay National Insurance contributions and Income Tax on her war widows' pension.

If anyone should think that these astonishing and sad facts are fairy stories and the ramblings of a great grandmother, then I am sure the Ministry of Defence will, shamefully, and with tongue in cheek, just have to confirm the shabby treatment of World War Two war widows.

Ida Mary Goodrick,

Woodlands Avenue,

Tadcaster.

Updated: 11:39 Saturday, August 11, 2001