Nelson Bascome III last night issued a defiant letter vowing to continue his fight against serving in the Regiment which he labelled colonial and a violation of his constitutional rights.

He said he had told the conscription appeals tribunal that he refused to “wear any symbols of the colonial power or salute what it represents.”

However when The Royal Gazette called the Regiment at 5 p.m. last night, just after the letter was delivered, Captain Wayne Caines said: “He's in a green Bermuda issue combat gear accentuated with a blue belt with regular issue cap with the St. George's cross on it.

“He's commenced his duty starting with Ruger rifle lessons. He's making every effort to catch up, he's progressing quite admirably.

“He picked up his kit at about 10.15 a.m. after an interview with Captain Marc Telemaque and then he went to don his apparel.”

He said Private 9747 Bascome's day had been without incident.

In a letter to the Human Rights Commission, leaked to this newspaper, Pte. Bascome said he was willing to file a civil writ after slamming the decision of the Governor to overrule his appeal for exemption from military service.

He said: “There could not be clear justice in a decision made by a Governor who is the Queen's representative in Bermuda, nor should he base it on British Constitutional law that outlaws military conscription.”

The reluctant recruit said he had been a lifelong anti-colonialist.

“I find it totally hypocritical to salute the Queen or her subjects and symbols.

“I do not rise for the British National Anthem.

“The Queen of England has caused my people nothing but heartache and pain.

“For over 400 years my people were enslaved in the name of the Queen, taken from their home across the land and sea to serve for her and her noble servants.

“I did not choose to be born in Bermuda, one of the oldest colonies in the British Empire, but chose to educate myself with the knowledge of the past that my people so gravely suffered.”

Pte. Bascome said he would be willing to serve in an independent Bermuda and in a voluntary capacity that does not pay homage to the Royal Family.

Citing the Bermuda Constitution, Pte. Bascome said it guaranteed freedom of conscience and association.

He also noted section 8 (4) which said people could not be forced to take an oath contrary to their belief. Pte. Bascome also questioned why only men were subject to the Regiment draft.

He wrote: “I am still a conscientious objector and demand I be treated as stated in section 27 of the Defence Act.”

Pte. Bascome said he wanted to be allowed to perform community service.

Mystery surrounds how the letter, dated January 15, was drafted as Pte. Bascome was either locked up or on Regiment business throughout the day.

At the bottom of the letter Pte. Bascome said he was in the guard house.

He also hit out at the “media circus” surrounding his case which he blamed on his family connection.

“Several other recruits are in the same position and have never been subject to the public display that has occurred to me.

“There have been numerous conscripts who have appealed on grounds much less than my inherent beliefs,” wrote the son of the former Health Minister Nelson Bascome, Jr.

Pte. Bascome said he had voluntarily showed up at Warwick Camp.

Captain Caines denied there had been a media circus. He said when Pte. Bascome's name was called the Press were all assembled, just as they were for every boot camp.

“The only reason the media pounced on this is because of his comments made in full view of the Press corps.”

Pte. Bascome was locked up on Sunday morning after he refused to comply with commands including replying “sir” when spoken to by an officer. He was also not dressed in his military gear.

In January, 2002 Magnus Henagulph, a former Royal Gazette reporter, was called up for Regiment and went on a two-day hunger strike in lock-up in Warwick camp after refusing to collect his uniform and kit bag.

The Somerset man, who now works in the international business sector, is now fighting the case in the courts.

He won a small victory when the courts ruled an affidavit by one of the respondents was inadmissible in November. The case is ongoing.