I'D like to point out to the letter writer of 'Coping with the refugees' in the Star (October 1) that the Syrian conflict bears no relation whatsoever to the Second World War.

Yes, we stayed and fought while bombs dropped upon us, but that was because it was a WORLD war; nowhere was safe to run to.

Though I would point out that we did at least evacuate our children to safer, rural areas that were unlikely to be hit by the Luftwaffe's bombing raids.

Luckily, children could survive and prosper thanks to such an opportunity rather than die, washed up on the shore.

I would also like to remind the letter writer that we had an armed forces back then that could actually take on the challenge brought about by the rise of fascism (a political view that believed in dismissing those not like us - ring any bells?) to fight for our rights and freedoms, something we are not in a position to do now thanks to continuing budget cuts in our defence spending.

Name and address submitted