Old soldier warns poppy being devalued

Veterans for Peace UK organiser Ben Griffin told the Wales on Sunday newspaper that the run-up to today's commemoration had become a "month-long drum roll of support for current wars."

Mr Griffin served eight years in the parachute regiment before quitting on moral grounds and and is now a London ambulance driver.

He said: "War is nothing like a John Wayne movie. There is nothing heroic about being blown up in a vehicle, there is nothing heroic about being shot in an ambush and there is nothing heroic about the deaths of countless civilians.

"Calling our soldiers heroes is an attempt to stifle criticism of the wars we are fighting in.

"It leads us to that most subtle piece of propaganda: You might not support the war but you must support our heroes, ergo you support the war."