The uniqueness of the war memorial at Little Wittenham must be the fact that it bears the name of just one fallen soldier - to my mind, that is still one too many.

Why, in this so-called modern world full of starving people, do we waste trillions of dollars making bombs, missiles and bullets designed for the sole purpose of killing?

Some wars are inevitable but, in the main, they are caused by industrialists, despots, politicians or religious fanatics imposing their views on others, or by the West interfering when it should leave well alone and let other countries sort out their own problems.

The politicians and generals sit on their chargers from the safety of a bunker, while misinformed underlings do their bidding.

The wish of most men is to die peacefully of old age in their own beds, not to be blown to bits in the corner of a foreign field.

We read daily of the brave soldier, who returns home with severe injuries or, worse still, in a body bag, and is all but ignored by his master who, in many cases, treats him as cannon fodder.

It amazes me that we still have to raise funds for these soldiers and their dependants through the Poppy Appeal, while the Government pays lip service to their plight.

All men are born equal and most, if not all, would happily co-exist together, but from the moment they leave their mother's breast, most are indoctrinated to hate the enemy whom they have never seen.

If man learned to use his skills to make plough shares instead of armaments, the world would be a happier and healthier place in which to live.

While I do not wish to belittle the courage and heroism of our armed forces, a quote from Ernest Hemingway seems apt: "They wrote in the old days that it was sweet and fitting to die for one's country, but in modern war, there is nothing sweet nor fitting in your dying - you will die like a dog for no good reason."

Afghanistan and Iraq are but two theatres where men, women and children are dying needlessly.

Bring our troops home immediately and countless civilian and Army casualties will be avoided. Let's all try to live in peace.

TONY ANCHORS Didcot