Mirror.co.uk – COMMANDER WARNS SOLDIERS MAY NOT RETURN
Excerpted from Lt Col Tim Collins’, commanding officer of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish, address to his men before the start of their campaign:
“It is a big step to take another human life. It is not to be done lightly. I know of men who have taken life needlessly in other conflicts. I can assure you they live with the mark of Cain upon them.[ . . . ]
“If someone surrenders to you, remember they have that right in international law. The ones who wish to fight, well, we aim to please. If you harm the regiment or its history by over enthusiasm in killing or in cowardice, know it is your family who will suffer.
[ . . . ]
“You will be shunned unless your conduct is of the highest for your deeds will follow you down through history. We will bring shame on neither our uniform or our nation.”
Shades of “we happy few, we band of brothers . . . . ” from Henry V.