YOUR report about reservists receiving hoax call-up papers (Evening News, October 3) reminds me of the occasion I was recalled to active service by accident.

There was no questioning the authenticity of the buff OHMS envelope awaiting my return from work for it bore the bold letters "urgent mobilisation."

Inside were instructions to report immediately on board HMS Flying Fox at Mardyke Wharf, Bristol. A railway warrant was enclosed and there was even a card to forward to my employer.

As I changed into uniform I wondered what emergency had arisen. Communist forces were sweeping across China; the Russians had failed to return on time our battleship Royal Sovereign on loan to them.

These seemed unlikely to warrant mobilisation, but then the Royal Navy had a reputation for somehow being mobilised and in the right spot before any crisis hit the headlines.

Then the front doorbell rang and there was a telegraph boy with the message: "Cancel summons to join. Instructions being issued." Later I heard the same message broadcast in a radio news bulletin. Next day, the Worcester Evening News and Times carried a report of what had happened.

Apparently, a periodical check of call-up papers had been in progress. Somehow, the wrong set of papers were filed away under lock and key and the emergency documents were posted.

JOHN G HINTON,

Worcester.