HAVING been referred to as an out-of-touch ancient mariner I should like to explain to Mary Machen just how wrong you can be when you do not know the whole story (Letters, May 30).

Having served in the Royal Marines for more than 12 years, most of the time on board a very active war-time battleship, and before that having served in the Royal Navy during the Spanish Civil War, protecting British nationals, I returned home and changed my lifestyle.

To occupy my time I turned to politics, became secretary of my local party, stood for "Werneth" ward and became a member of the board of governors of three local schools.

All, I might add, because I was interested in doing something for the community, and doing it for nothing as everyone did in those days before greed raised its ugly head.

Having time to spare, I also volunteered and served as a special constable, again unpaid for almost 20 years, and was awarded the police long service medal bringing my official gongs awarded by a grateful Ministry of Defence to 11.

I was for some time the chairman of Haxby Probus, chairman of the Royal Marines Association and an associate member of the Royal Artillery and the Far Eastern Prisoner of War Association.

I am still an associate member of the Fleet Air Arm and a full member of the Royal Naval and Royal Marines Associations.

To fill in the time I am probably, at 87 years young, the oldest publicity and recruitment officer still active in the Royal Naval Association.

"Out-of-touch"? I think not. "Ancient mariner"? I think you may be right, Mary.

Bernard Hallas,

RN Association,

Hawthorne Avenue,

Haxby,

York.

Updated: 10:09 Wednesday, June 15, 2005