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Comment article

Why does the UK have the highest proportion of young infantry deaths in Afghanistan

02/05/2012

ForcesWatch comment

The deaths of 6 soldiers recently in one incident was particularly tragic because of how young some of them were. Four of the six who died were under 21 years old; one was only 19.


Comment article

War poems

24/04/2012

ForcesWatch comment

Poetry about war is perhaps the most immediate way of understanding what it is to be involved, or caught up in, conflict. The War Poetry website is a great resource, listing famous poets from the first world war alongisde little known contemporary poets with much to say about modern warfare. Most of the poems on the site are written by people who have expereienced conflict, many from Iraq, Afghanistan and the Falklands war. Below is a favourite by Danny Martin.


News

Not just waving poppies, but drowning thought

06/01/2012

Ekklesia

"There may well be a boom in poppy sales, but the act of Remembrance itself has been cheapened by a failure to back up words with action, particularly when it comes to successive governments' care for victims of war, but equally in terms of the appalling the lack of resources put into peacebuilding."


News

The red poppy: a compromised symbol?

06/01/2012Ekklesia

"The growing compulsion to wear a red poppy and to acquiesce in the remodelling of its purpose has diverted our attention from the more enduring and demanding aspects of remembering the destruction, personal, collective and environmental, which is the outcome of military action."


News

High drop out rate and imprisonment of teenage soldiers calls MoD policy into question

16/11/2011Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers

High drop-out rate of teenage soldiers hides unfair detention of some young recruits detained in military prisons for attempting to leave


News

MPs criticise Ministry of Defence for continuing to send children to war

16/11/2011Child Soliders International

The MoD is criticised for lowering standards since WW1 and despite thousands of planned redundancies, it still recruiting children at twice the cost of adults.


News

Imprisoned Navy conscientious objector to appeal conviction in High Court

12/10/2011

ForcesWatch press release

Navy medic Michael Lyons, a conscientious objector convicted of disobedience, who was detained in July, stripped of his rank and dismissed from the service, will be at the High Court 13 October to appeal his conviction. A recent European ruling recognises conscientious objection for first time as human right.


News

The big red cross

11/10/2011Peace News

Lillian Lyons, wife of imprisoned conscientious objector Michael Lyons, describes why he refused the “learning to kill” course.


News

Court martial for Navy medic conscientious objector

02/07/2011ForcesWatch press release

A medic in the Royal Navy will face court martial on Monday 4 July despite declaring that he is a conscientious objector.


News

Campaigners and churches back Armed Forces Bill amendments on recruiting children into the armed forces

13/06/2011ForcesWatch press release

Organisations and churches who have questioned the recruitment of under 18s into the armed forces are backing an amendment which could see children no longer able to enlist and bring the UK into line with international standards.