Priest wrong to attack TV advert in aid of British Legion

From: Edward Keith Bamforth, Beeches Road, Wales, Sheffield.

I AM astounded that a religious leader should think the event portrayed in the Sainsbury’s Christmas advert was trivialised (The Yorkshire Post, November 15).

What it did display, to me, was the fact that the “squaddies” from both sides respected, and wished to mark Christmas Day. The most important day in the Christian calender for the soldiers on both sides of the conflict. Afterwards both sets of soldiers went back to do their duty, but both got a severe telling off from their superiors.

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My Grandfather served in World War One, and my uncle was awarded eight medals in World War Two. He was entitled to more, but medals for events like Arnhem were never struck, as there were too few survivors.

I also served for nine years as a regular soldier. As a very young soldier in Germany I happily worked alongside former German servicemen. One was a former SS Captain, and another was a gunner who witnessed, first hand, the Dambuster raids, and openly admitted the bravery of our airmen.

Might I suggest that the religious father stays with his theology and his pacifism, as I have little time for his type, but I have high regard for his colleagues, who do a splendid job, serving as padres with the armed services.

He should remember that soldiers have had to fight for him to have the freedom of speech he now enjoys. In return the least he can do is to live in the “real” world, and like Sainsbury’s, do his best to give aid to those who have earned it by serving in the Armed Forces.

From: David Maughan, York.

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I WRITE with regard to the priest in Bradford who has described the Sainsbury’s chocolate/war advert as utterly wicked and a trivialisation of a tragic and moving event.

Sainsbury’s has said that they are donating all profits from the sales of the chocolate bar to the Royal British Legion. I think originally the advert didn’t make this clear. Had it done so at the outset, I would have thought the priest would have seen the advert in a different light.

I will certainly buy some of the chocolate now knowing it is raising money for a good cause. I also feel happier about the advert than when I first saw it, especially as it was developed in conjunction with the Royal British Legion.

There is also a strong message that Christmas is for sharing and helping others in difficult circumstances.