BRITISH history is not English history. It is the history of the British Isles containing England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

I am proud of my relatives who fought for Britain in both world wars. I am also proud that my surname dates back to 1004, that it belongs to one of Ireland's Royal houses which, through various tribes, dynasties, clans, etc, found within many of Ireland's annals, can trace its lineage back beyond the birth of Gaedheal Glas, the progenitor of the Gael Celts.

For centuries, my ancestors fought and died defending their lands against a hostile foreign invader, who committed numerous atrocities to impose a foreign culture and monarch on them.

Christopher Wardell (HAS, Sept 4) is right to be proud of British history, culture and the courage shown by his father and grandfather. But if someone, be they Irish, Scottish or Welsh, takes similar pride in their ancestry and culture, it doesn't make them an unpatriotic leftie or liberal if they refer to those parts of British history which those on the right wish forgotten.

CT Riley, Spennymoor, Co Durham.

IN reply to Pete Winstanley (HAS, Sept 7) I do know that many ethnic soldiers of the British Empire fought for King and Country during the two world wars, and I admire them for it.

However, Mr Winstanley forgot to mention that thousands of Indians fought with Japanese troops against our soldiers, in the hope of bringing down the Empire.

It is fine to spread the word of multiculturalism, as Mr Winstanley does, but all of the facts must be given.

I do not know about other people, but I am very proud to be a porkmunching, beer-drinking "Little Englander".

Christopher Wardell, Darlington.