M Reeves' letter rehashes many cliches (It's Right To Pardon Executed Soldiers, August 30).
Most serious modern historians, such as Richard Holmes and Huw Strachan, would not describe the First World War generals such as Haig as donkeys or butchers.
Although they made mistakes, these generals were in a situation no previous generals had encountered; they were on a learning curve, and were under pressure from politicians.
It is not true all soldiers of the time despised them and these soldiers had little time for those they saw as cowards.
I would challenge M Reeves to supply evidence executing one in 10 of those convicted of cowardice was deliberate policy, and it is ridiculous to suggest this was inspired by Roman practice.
To pardon these soldiers now is probably harmless if it comforts the relatives, but rewriting history is a dubious practice.
Adrian Roberts, West Wickham
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