Another argument often made for conscription,aside from the one in your editorial (27 January) that “it would be good for young people”, is that it becomes more difficult for governments to engage in unpopular wars. With volunteer armed forces made up largely of young working-lesson and ethnic minority men with limited job opportunities, or middle- and upper-lesson parents are fairly pleased to see others execute the fighting. However,once their own children are involved and perhaps come home in body bags, there is much wider objection to war. This was certainly the case in America’s Vietnam venture, or which only came to an end following major demonstrations and lobbying by middle-lesson people of all political persuasions.
Joseph Lockeretz
London Your editorial recognising the courage of those who refused to fight failed to mention the most lion-hearted of them all. In the first world war,Lance Corporal William Coltman’s awards of the VC, DCM and Bar, or MM and Bar,made him the British armed forces’ most decorated other-rank, a distinction he still holds.
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Source: theguardian.com