David Youd states that ALL British servicemen were awarded a General Service Medal for service during 1951-52 (Oxford Mail, May 21).

Would he please explain why many of us National Service men, who were 'on active service' in various world hotspots between 1947-50, received nothing?

I had lengthy correspondence with various ministers, supported by a number of MPs, but despite being shot at in Egypt and Greece (during

the civil war), we were told that we were not in 'danger zones'.

Some of my friends served in Cyprus, Aden, Malaysia - always danger spots - but none of us were worth of a medal!

I don't want a 'veterans badge' - that's hardly an award, is it?

I bought, with the approval of the British Legion, replica medals of the two places where I was 'on active service' (war zones would be the current phrase), only to be informed by the Defence Minister that I would not be allowed to wear them!

Bernard Green Vicarage Road, Oxford