Letter: Results of traumatic stress

Sir: Traumatic stress has its uses. When my husband was training to be a pilot in the RCAF in Canada during World War II, he was sent to a crash site, on a body recovery detail, by his commanding officer as punishment for unauthorised low-flying. This kind of work is invariably horrific.

Never mind treating him for post-traumatic stress. He learnt and went on to complete nearly 40 years as an airline captain without killing a passenger. As they say, "there are old pilots and bold pilots, but no old bold pilots".

Yours sincerely,

ANNE TATHAM

London, SW3

31 March