Kingsman Ben Shaun of 1 Lancs sounded optimistic about the future, but if you read his words carefully you will detect concerns shared by other British soldiers regarding what will happen when they leave.

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He left school at 14, and apparently taught himself to read by listening to his sister's records and matching the words to those on the record sleeves.

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In the elevator, she wrote his words on the back of the card and put it in her wallet to read whenever she needed a boost.

NEWYORKER: The Natural