SIR -- I have been watching the Trevor McDonald programme about the deaths of the four young recruits, and the bullying in the army today.

I was a regular soldier in the Gordon Highlanders at Aldershot, before the Second World War broke out, and the training was strict -- I mean strict.

Each squad had a sergeant, a corporal, and a lance corporal; 70 per cent was bull to turn us into a soldier.

If anyone of the three said jump, we jumped, no argument. They were the boss and we learned to respect them because they showed that they were what we wanted to be.

Apart from the army training, we also went to school so that anyone who had not had decent schooling had a chance to improve themselves.

As for discipline, we had to stand to attention when addressing a senior private soldier.

If we as much as made a face when being harangued by an NCO we could be on a charge for dumb insolence.

But mainly we were trained as a squad -- one for all and all for one.

When we went out on manoeuvres we were trained to defend ourselves against the type of enemy we would meet in India, Palestine and the other foreign countries we could be sent to.

The pre-war British army was reckoned to be the best in the world.

There was absolutely no bullying, neither among the men nor from the senior staff.

Discipline, yes, 100 per cent and no more. So what has happened now?

Are we breeding and supporting with our taxes an army of thugs?

GEORGE ROBB

Kingston Road

Oxford