At the time of writing this letter, July 22, 11am, the number of British military fatalities stood at 324.

That's 324 too many. I grieve for all the widows, parents and orphaned children and would suggest that we stop sending our young people to die in order to bring an air of legitimacy to an American war. I seem to remember that in the 1914 to 1918 war the Yanks sat on their backsides and flogged all their obsolete weaponry to us until joining in the war of survival until 1917.

The same for 1939 to 1945 when Britain and her Commonwealth forces stood alone against the most militant, modern armed forces the world had seen. How kind of them to join in three years late, again.

Of course they flogged us all their obsolete four stack destroyers. We did not have the means to replace them ourselves as we were fighting for our very survival. God knows how long it took us to repay our debt to our cousins over the pond.

Which brings me back to Afghanistan and all the horrors it holds for service personnel of all nations involved. The national press printed an article on a Gurkha soldier who beheaded a Taliban chief. Now, as a veteran soldier, I know that you carry out and obey orders from your superiors.

It would appear that this Gurkha was expected to carry the dead Taliban out, maybe sit him up and take his photograph or take his finger prints. It amazes me that they didn't require the Gurkha to ask confirmation of name, address, postcode and phone number if applicable. He was obeying an order and the only course of action left to him is what he chose to do in order to comply with his given orders.

Would some brain-dead desk-bound warrior kindly inform me and thousands of British ex-servicemen what he was supposed to do? And always remember that this action took place under sustained and accurate fire, which put his life and that of his comrades at severe risk. The ultimate insult was that the head was handed back to the Taliban in order for them to comply with their religious belief that bodies should be buried whole.

What a pity that they place roadside bombs of such devastating effect that we can't do the same.

Now I'm only a war disabled veteran of advanced years, but I would bet my life on most of my generation thanking all our collective boys for the Gurkha soldier's action. You see, up until then, I thought it was only ours getting killed. Well done that soldier. You have proved that Taliban are being killed. Even so, at the cost in lives and financial strain, I don't think it's worth it.

Just look at the history, ancient and modern. Who has ever conquered Afghanistan? Not even Russia at the height of its military power could do it.

As regards the Gurkha soldier, I would give him a medal for service to his adopted country. Please remember when Gurkha soldiers get wounded, if they have not served a minimum of four years they are denied access to this country.

What a way to reward loyalty to a small nation, Nepal, which has, so willingly permitted its young men to fight and die for this country since 1815.

Pity we can't do the same to the scum of Europe who so regularly turn up and deprive our people of homes, health, jobs and school places.

Brian O'Sullivan Sunnymead Oakhill