OVER recent years many famous regiments have been amalgamated, even disbanded, by Government bureaucrats in the name of cost-cutting.

My late father-in-law and relatives served with distinction in both world wars, under the colours of the Middlesex Regiment, who in turn have been subject to this kind of treatment, although fortunately memorabilia has been retained to service their memory.

The proposals to cull the Duke of Wellington’s battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment may only be the tip of the iceberg, but has and will cause insurmountable damage to those forces remaining.

It may well suit governments to form coalitions, but regiments with various county affiliations over many centuries have carried their colours with pride during many conflicts.

Protection of one’s homeland from exterior forces is the first line of defence and reducing those affected will weaken our resolve and give succour to our enemies.

Too many chiefs and no Indians is a recipe for disaster.

Kenneth Bowker, Vesper Walk, Huntington, York.