18 JULY 1998, Page 27

Ugly slur

Sir: I find the 'Country life' column in your issue of 30 May offensive. To describe the ladies who supported the Army Benevolent Fund Collection as looking 'thin-legged and pretty frightful' is really very unfair.

These ladies are widows, wives and daughters of soldiers who have fought for the freedom of this country since the first world war: some of the younger ones have lost their loved ones more recently in the Falklands, the Gulf, Bosnia and Northern Ireland, keeping a fragile peace.

Leanda de Lisle would do well to remem- ber that she and I would not be enjoying life today were it not for the gallantry and sacrifice of those who defend our freedom.

Lt Colonel T.J.R. illingworth OBE The Army Benevolent Fund,

41 Queen's Gate, London SW7