I AM writing in regards to J Simmonds' letter dated July 20 which was in reply to a letter by an anti-European, namely Robert Nock, printed in the previous week's Free Press.

I am in full agreement with Mr Simmonds, always making a point of reading your letter columns. I can honestly state I have never read a letter before which attracted my attention so intently. It contained everything: Trauma, bravery, sadness, but also hopefully, inspiration to the youngsters of the same age group as the aircrew of Bomber Command, who read your correspondence letters, which comes to my main reason for this letter.

My father died in horrendous circumstances over the night skies of Germany on the most costly raid by RAF Bomber Command, namely Nuremberg March 30/31, 1944. Ninety-five bombers were lost, accounting for 665 aircrew members. They never found my father's body. I was only two years old. My dear mother never got over the horror until she died a broken woman,aged only 38.

So I say to Mr Nock and his compatriots with their Union Jack hats and flags draped around their waists, do we want to be isolated again, like we were in the first half of the century, having no say in the composition of Europe? More of a single target for those irrational countries in the Middle East where we have a big presence. Would the other countries in EU be so keen to come to our assistance in any conflict? My father died not only for Britain and so in the second half of the century we should have a major say in the future direction of our continent.

J Smith (Mrs)

Amersham Road

High Wycombe