How about telling us WHO they are, WHERE they are, and WHAT they're being held for?

British servicemen refuse to fight in Iraq - one way you can support them

The soldiers sent home to Colchester Barracks for refusing to fight, would appreciate letters of support, send them care of their solicitor: c/o Gilbert Blades, Wilkin, Chapman, Epton & Blades Solicitors, Bank Street, Lincoln, LN2 1DR.


The Sunday Times reported that two British servicemen have been sent home from the Middle East after refusing to fight in the war against Iraq because of the civilian casualties being caused. They face possible court martial and up to two years imprisonment. Gilbert Blades, a Lincoln-based lawyer, said the Ministry of Defense was trying to hush up the cases because it feared a public relations disaster.

The Mirror reported that they are a Private and an Air Technician from the 16th Air Assault Brigade and are being held at Colchester Barracks, Essex.

Why the hell join the Army if as soon as a situation turns up you shit yourself and say "No way, its because of the civilians I can't and won't fight"
The army is a close group of people everyone works as a team and if one person lets the team down then yes they should have have book chucked at them, I saw an interview with a female "soldier" I'm sorry but she should of not have joined in the first place!
The first thing about joining any of the armed forces is that if told to go, you go but let me say that NO ONE can and does order people to shoot unarmed civilians (UK forces) and if they did and you refused you would not be court-marshalled for it, our troops are the best in the world. (unlike the yanks,who shoot first then shoot again then maybe just maybe see who they are shooting at)
Further more our forces do not "hide" in tanks etc as you have said, I think you will find that they have taken off helmets & flak vests etc as far as I & most of the country are concerned THEY are the real "Heros" as you put it, not a weak ex-soldier who uses the excuse like they did and lets face it people like you would belive anything you are told by other people like you......... Its shamefull

(Most) People join the army to protect their country from enemy attack.

I think that is different to become a mercenary to kill people for an other country's oil interest hoping to share the spoils after...

Not to mention that if they swear to serve the PEOPLE - of which 80% opposed the war - of the country rather than the prime minister...

Even prince Charles expressed his opinions against the war in case the royalty need to be included in this.

The only 'right' is given in this conflict is the US 'might'; supported by blackmail, lies, armtwists and bribery.

Last Friday evening 80 local people held an emergency march to the edge of the garrison where the refusenic soldiers are being held.

They held banners saying "support a soldiers right to refuse", "bring the troops home" and "no more blood for oil"

After a minutes silence for all those affected by this war, local families tied yellow ribbons to the garrison fence, expressing the wish that all the towns soldiers be brought home now.

Many local people do not want our soldiers to face the trauma of having to kill any more people, and also risk their own life and health.

UK soldiers now face the brutalising task of enforcing foriegn occupation and rule by a retired US general over the Iraqi people.

Already reports point to a change in popular attitude from relief at the end of Saddams dictatorship to resentment against the new occuppying powers.

Suddenly, the people of Colchester face a barrage of propaganda.

Tony Blair has written a letter to the people of the town via the local paper urging us to support the war and occupation.

The sun has employed people to engage in door to door leafletting. The Garrison Commander, Colonel Barton has even resorted to smearing the Colchester Peace Campaign as marching in support of Saddams brutal regime!

They have been worried that Colchester saw over 500 local people block the town centre after the outbreak of war, and the daily continuation of the protests.

They want to drive a wedge between those who have relatives in the army and the rest of the townsfolk. This is despite the fact that many army families have the same doubts about Bush and Blairs agenda as the general public.

We will do all we can to show the MOD and political authorities that the 'Colchester two' -the two air assault personnel sent home for discussing their doubts about the war, can not be isolated and forgotten.

This will be true for any other UK services personnel, who by their direct experience of the situation on the ground in Iraq have seen through the lies, spin and propaganda that the government, army top brass and media produce for domestic consumption.

Colchester also houses the notorious 'glasshouse' or 'military correctional training centre', where all disciplinary cases from UK armed sevices are sent.

Our struggle for peace and justice will continue.

Your right News, most people do join the armed forces for that very reason, but most if not all also understand that the armed forces are the physical arm of the political body thats a fact..... sad really but thats the way it is.
When joining the armed forces they swear an oath of alegence to the Queen the goverment etc but not to the people, political leaders do however so in reality the PM did but the soldiers, airmen, sailers etc did not.
About your 80% figs I don't know how you came about those they seem to go up and down all over the shop! but how can all these polls really say what % of the public are for/against? ask 1000 people and what x the anwser by 520000? I mean really is that any basis?
But the US might comment I do agree with that!!
Colchesterpeace I agree with alot of what your saying and it makes me proud to hear your views/actions, your right to ask for our armed forces to be rtned home and I am glad you understand that they go where they are ordered and really have no choice.
Talking about the two that have been sent home, if people do not follow orders then the forces have little in the way of control and when the crunch comes they would act like the yanks, shoot first then shoot again, friendy fire, check points etc comes to mind.