SIR — What a pleasant surprise I received from my postman on December 23 when my late father's Arctic Star medal was delivered.

It brought back memories of my dad, Tommy, who passed away four years ago come February 1. How he used to love to wear his medals on special occasions! He was very proud indeed of the service he gave his country in that sometimes dark period of history 1939/45.

Those brave men of the Merchant Navy, the unsung heroes of World War Two, were treated abysmally by successive governments from 1945. Not even permitted to parade at London's Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday until the year 2000.

These courageous men that took part in missions to deliver lifesaving supplies to Russian allies, running the gauntlet of being attacked by German U Boats, put their lives on the line with every convoy they took part in - an ordeal described by Sir Winston Churchill as "The worst journey in the world".

And it is not only the Merchant Navy that, in my opinion, have been treated so despicably. The veterans of Bomber Command also suffered a raw deal. They also had to wait almost 70 years for a memorial monument to be erected in London's Hyde Park!

My dad moved to West Somerset from his native Manchester in 1955 and fell in love with Watchet. It was his home! He was well known in the area, particularly for some of his tales of close escapes during World War Two. Many compared him with Uncle Albert from television's Only Fools And Horses.

Yet there was indeed a very serious side to his stories. Working below the waterline as a fireman/boilerman was a very dangerous place to be with U-Boats in the vicinity. Had they struck, then he would have been one of the first to cop it!

Around 3,000 seamen lost their lives during the conflict, many more were severely injured, many losing limbs because of the cold conditions through frostbite.

I find it so sad that the vast majority of those that took part in World War Two are now no longer with us. Those that are, now in their late 80s and older. So many will never get to see or feel the Arctic Star, my dad one of them. It's a medal I know he would have been very proud to have received, a medal I will now always treasure.

Total respect to all our veterans.

David Webster,

Warwick Road,

Taunton.