Broken promises on army

Geoff Hoon, the then defence secretary, stood up in the Commons on 16 December, 2004, to announce the future structure of the army, saying: "The move to larger, multi-battalion regiments is the only sustainable way in which to structure the army which will ensure that the regimental traditions, heritage, cultures and local connections will live on. Golden threads of identity will be preserved by the retention of accoutrements."

All of this has been reneged on – all that has been left is the hackle, which can only be worn in combat.

He also stated: "Regional recruiting will remain the bedrock of the British infantry." This has also been reneged on, as recruits will be fed into those numbered regiments which are short.

The last identity and the most important is the taking away of their regimental colours. A new Royal Regimental of Scotland colour is about to be introduced, which depicts six of the old regiments' battle honours. This means that soldiers will march behind a flag which means nothing to them and is something that they won't want to fight for.

(MAJOR) ROB RITCHIE MBE

Bloom Court

Livingston, West Lothian