SIR – Your article by Jim Greenhalf (T&A, June 2) about the wearing of war medals interested me.

As a Royal Navy war veteran with eight campaign medals and a meritorious mention for bravery, including a medal issued by the Russian Government for service on Russian convoys, I am not sure whether I earned them or was given them for being there, for which I had no option.

I did not enter these campaigns alone or willingly, I was one of many thousands being in the same place at the wrong time.

I do not believe I “earned” it. I was given a piece of cheap metal called a medal because I happened to be there, and in most cases wished I hadn’t.

I do not see the controversy of re-enactment of war time exploits by individuals wearing medals they have not “earned”, but I do see the campaigns being kept alive by wearing these medals, which is more important than the individual.

The people who earned these medals really do not give a damn. They remember their experiences without a medal.

If anyone is trying to deceive by wearing these medals, they would have to be in their late 80s and 90s.

If any one wants to wear mine, they can, so please do not get uptight about these bits of useless metal.

Peter Raistrick, Westgate, Eccleshill