Mr Steer took part in the crucial Battle of El Alamein

Joe Steer, who took part in the historic Battle of El Alamein in 1942, was mistakenly sent the papers by the Ministry of Defence.

The grandfather was ordered to pack his bags and prepare for the expected action in Iraq.

Mr Steer, who now walks with a stick, said he was "flabbergasted" to receive his call-up papers.

Return to sender

The pensioner from Rainworth, Notts, was mystified when the letter arrived, emblazoned with On Her Majesty's Service on the front.

"I opened it and it had my name and number on the letter and told me to report at Guilford barracks.

I'm a bit too old for that sort of thing now Joe Steer

Widower Mr Steer told his friends at his local Royal British Legion, where he is chairman, about the letter.

The grandfather-of-seven said he thought the letter was a joke at first, sent by one of his friends.

'Enough of sand'

Then he realised it was genuine.

""I was flabbergasted really. I've had enough of the sand. And I'm a bit too old for that sort of thing now."

Mr Steer was captured at El Alamein in 1942 while serving his country in the First Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment.

Originally from Warburton, Sussex, he joined the Territorial Army in 1938 for a hobby and was called up a year later to fight against Germany.

After being captured, Mr Steer was forced to work in a coal mine in Czechoslovakia while a prisoner of war before he was liberated in 1945.

Reunion

He stayed in the army for 23 years until 1961, rising to become a staff sergeant before he left the forces and became the pier master on the West Pier in Brighton.

Mr Steer said he himself backed the government's determination to go to war to disarm Saddam Hussein.

Veterans of El Alamein - considered to be one of the most important battles of the Second World War - returned for a reunion at the battle scene last year.

Soldiers from all sides came together to remember those who perished in the battle 60 years ago.