I’VE written a book – Suez: The Hidden Truths, which details those turbulent years of the Suez Emergency of the early 1950s, where thousands of troops, many National Servicemen were posted to defend the canal zone, often facing appalling conditions.

Hence, at the time there were many hot-spots of the colonial Empire to be policed around the world – and one in particular was the gateway to the East, the Suez Canal zone of Egypt, where by 1951 nationalism was becoming the new rising force around the region.

To contain this threat, many raw recruits were sent by air and sea to defend a ‘strip of water’ against hostile and barbaric foe, while living under canvas in camps along the canal – with heat, flies, stench, disease and devious terrorists to contend with in an inhospitable land.

Even though many lads died, who were only in their teens, we were inexplicably denied a medal. However, after a long campaign, this miscarriage of justice has been righted after 50 years against overwhelming odds.

Indeed, from this failed adventure, can anything be learned today in the context of Afghanistan? As in the Suez conflict, young lads are being sacrificed once more.

In addition, while many Suez veterans, now in their 70s, are delighted with the award of this belated medal, they are at the same time angry that it wasn’t issued at the time, especially when the veterans look back to their comrades who lost their lives all those years ago and are buried in British Military Cemeteries in Egypt, and other veterans who have passed on over the years since.

My book costs £7, incl P&P and available from me at the address below or phone 01772 322717.

John Hunt, (ex Suez veteran), 14 Carrfield, Bamber Bridge, Preston, Lancashire,