15 DECEMBER 1944, Page 13

SIR,—Now that military service is universal and compulsory, "the soldier"

has ceased to be a distinctive figure. He is simply Everyman. The Army of today necessarily includes all sorts: religious and irre- ligious, idealists and cynics, intelligent and stupid, educated and ignorant, aid members of each of the political parties.

It is not easy to see why life in the Army should even be supposed to alter the vision and opinions which Everyman brought with him from civil life or to make them more important.