Mr J J Thomas, of Milton House, Church Road, Newton abbot, writes:

I was greatly surprised at the number of people who did not know what the Red Ensign was doing at the Courtenay Park display.

Some thought that the troops in the first world war marched through the Channel Tunnel. Others settled for the RAF, which was not a force then nor had transports to take them over.

As during the Dunkirk landings, the Merchant Navy never had a mention, although 864 merchant ships took part, along with 30,000 men.

During the second world war, the Merchant Navy had the heaviest losses than any other force in comparison to size.

The first world war saw the beginning of the U-boat era, which almost brought this country to its knees.

I am proud to have done 41 years as a merchant seaman from l944-l985.