Annual honour lists badly abused

One of the last surviving airmen engaged in the “Dambusters” raids, he is now 95 years of age.

These remarkable veterans, who risked their lives daily during the conflict, did not shirk their resolve or determination to play their part to end the war.

Their exploits will go down in history as outstanding achievements.

Considering that the age group of these heroes ranged from 18 to 25, they were the cream of young men. In fact, the chosen few.

I can speak with some authority on this time and subject, having served in the RAF.

Between 1940 and 1946 I was a ground technician, specialising in the fitting and servicing of bomb sights.

It involved working in close harmony with flying crew members, advising and testing.

Ground crew and flying personnel alike shared all the trauma of the unfortunate men who did not return home or, should they have been lucky to do so, those badly injured.

Therefore, it irks me very, very much to witness the honours system so badly abused by past, successive governments.

They have bypassed much more worthy candidates.

A shameful example being the choices of former Prime Minister David Cameron.

With an outrageous display of snubbing and pique, he gave peerages to 128 of his friends and cronies.

How can they possibly be comparable with the brave men who risked their lives for the love of their country?

J W Bearby,

Tarnston Road,

Hartlepool.