Having followed the letters from your readers on the subject of National Service, may I add my twopennyworth?

I was conscripted as a National Serviceman in early 1947 in a ‘supposed’ two years.

Following UK postings, I was shipped out to Egypt (Canal Zone) for a time, then over to Greece (Athens) during the civil war there.

There was a British Military Mission there at that time.

While abroad, there were rumours of a possible three-month reduction to the two years. Then there were further rumours of an additional three months, but as it was late July/early August, 1949, before I was demobbed by that time I had served two-and-a-quarter years, which doesn’t actually tie in with your other correspondents’ recollections.

Although both overseas postings were on ‘active service’, I did not receive a campaign medal. as it was too late for one campaign, too early for another.

The Greek government did appreciate my services by awarding a medal and a framed certificate.

That was more than my own Government did, even though I have tried over many years to obtain one.

I am pleased that current servicemen and women are awarded campaign medals but they are volunteers. We were conscripts!

BERNARD GREENBERG Vicarage Court Vicarage Road