I WISH to reply to Roger Horsefield's letter.

He states that Sir Winston Churchill tried everything he could to delay the Americans from the invasion of Normandy in 1942. Stalin had pressed Churchill to open up the Second Front. This could not take place until 1944 due to manpower and supplies.

Churchill did not trust Russia. He feared that they would sign a peace pact with Germany and then turn on Great Britain. General George Patton when approaching Berlin wanted to drive on through the Russian Zone, agreed at the Yalta Conference in 1943.

Mr Horsefield goes on to say that Churchill's leadership was twisted. Let me remind this man we had a leader who gave the people hope, confidence and the will to win.

Hitler boasted that he would wring England's neck like a chicken. Churchill's reply to that was 'Some neck, some chicken.'

No Mr Horsefield, thank your lucky stars you have your freedom and independence and are not living under the jack boot. Mind you, I doubt it you would be alive today. Hitler planned to deport all males over the age of 16 years of age to 45 years.

Sir Winston, of course, was knighted. This award is now handed out like confetti to people who are not worthy of this honour. Jimmy Savile springs to mind, need I say more.

Why not have an annual one day holiday to remember this great man. After all, look at the money spent on the Royal celebrations. I know which I would rather support.

Sir Winston is a legend, the greatest statesman this country has ever had.

– George Jones, Steam Mills Road, Cinderford.