In your childhood there were men alive who had charged with the Light Brigade at Balaklava, just as in mine there were abroad in the streets men  who I would now  at fifty-two consider not old who had gone over the top with you. Their sons,  who fought in the war that yours did not prevent , were still in the prime of their lives when our own small war began, its teenage recruits now Peace-Process veterans travelling the world, offering advice, today Colombia, tomorrow – who knows? – Crimea.

We never met, but I feel as though not a day has passed when I haven’t caught a glimpse of you.

 --------------------------------------------

Feeling inspired? Write your own letter to the unknown soldier and join the 10,000+ people who have already contributed including Stephen Fry, Lee Child and Malorie Blackman.
Post your letter on your own Wattpad account with the tag #UnknownSoldier, and then upload it to our online memorial at www.1418NOW.org.uk/letter/new