This is Jocco podcast number 101 with Echo Charles and me, Jocco Willink.

Good evening, Echo. Good evening. Second lieutenant Bernard Wilfred Long was a smart young man who went to Birmingham University at age of 16 back in 1912.

He was commissioned in the West Yorkshire Regiment in January of 1916 and Bernard or Bern as his family called him served in World War I in France and he wrote this letter to his father in early August of 1916.

He said, we've been having it awfully wet here during the last day or two and my word talk about mud. It's simply awful. I get into mud up to my knees.

I can take a sporting risk as well as any of them and shells have got no fear for me.

I've seen great big burly chaps who do nothing but curse and drink and get down and pray like a child when there is a bombardment on and they don't care who sees them and no one dares to joke about it.

I've just heard from a pal of mine from Brockton who went down to the psalm when I came here and he says he's been over the lid seven times in attacks on the bush line.

Pretty awful that, isn't it? And I marvel he's alive to tell the tale.

He wrote another letter to his mother on August 11, 1917.

I am off by an early train tomorrow for the rest of the billets behind the firing line where we shall be for a time to get to know our men, etc.

I am going up with two pals and we are all pleased. I shall think of you all while I'm up there and know you won't forget me.

We're fighting hard now and is a serious game. We're all ready to lay down everything if need be and if God wills, I'm ready.

So goodbye and wish me luck. Your loving son, burn.

And second Lieutenant Bernard Wilford Long was killed in action at age 21 at the Battle of Langmark on August 16, 1917.

400 men from his battalion went into action. All ten of the officers from the battalion died along with 264 of the men.

On September 11, 1918, there's another young man, Sergeant David Kerr, an American who dropped out of Columbia University to fight in World War I.

He sent a letter to his mother the day before the attack on St. Miel in France.

He wrote, tomorrow the first totally American drive commences and it gives me inexpressible joy and pride to know that I shall be present to do my share.

Should I go under, therefore, I want you to know that I went without any terror of death and that my chief worry is the grief my death will bring to those so dear to me.

Since having found myself and Mary, there has been much to make life sweet and glorious.

But death, while distasteful, is in no way terrible.

I feel wonderfully strong to do my share well and for my sake, you must try to drown your sorrow in the pride and satisfaction.

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