AN Army veterans' association has apologised to the family of a member who was sent a newsletter featuring his own obituary, two years after he died.

Corporal Basil Smith, a 22-year veteran of the Royal Army Medical Corps, died in May 1999, aged 67, following a series of illnesses.

The National Malaya and Borneo Veterans' Association even provided a guard of honour at his funeral.

But his family were left distraught last month when a newsletter arrived at the home of Cpl Smith's widow, Dorothy, in Shildon, County Durham.

Not only was it addressed to Cpl Smith, but it also featured his own obituary - dated incorrectly - and invited him to the association's annual general meeting later this year.

An apologetic letter from the association's assistant national secretary, John Martland, who also edits the newsletter, saying sorry for the distress "inadvertently caused", arrived at Mrs Smith's home yesterday.

It read: "I can assure you that your husband will be remembered by his comrades at all meetings, for we honour our dead with grace and feeling. They are not forgotten."

Cpl Smith's daughter, Audrey Simpson, said: "It's a nice reply. Obviously something's gone through the system that shouldn't have done."

Dennis Askew, chairman of the association's Durham branch, added his own apologies, having been a founder member of the branch with Cpl Smith.

"I gave her a personal apology the day she got the letter," he said. He has also sent a letter to Mrs Simpson.