Badge of honour
Sir: Colonel Hancock (Letters, 22 September) notes General Jackson's lack of knowledge of the Infantry of the Line 'which he deconstructed'. Some small measure of redemption, however, would be the reinstatement of the traditional names of the regiments, e.g. the Green Howards, within the recently adopted three-battalion big regiment structure, e.g. the Yorkshire Regiment. Any costs would be minimal. A similar proposal was made by Nicholas Soames before the last election.
Other than for minor administrative convenience, it is not entirely clear why such rebadging was considered necessary in the first place. Historic names and traditions, and a significant degree of public understanding and community ownership, have been lost and now must painstakingly be rebuilt — if, indeed, such a thing is possible. Within the past few days General Dannatt, the immediate successor to General Jackson, has been highlighting the regrettable divorce between public and military.
Alistair Tucker London NW3
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