Dear Mr Cornwell, I’m currently re-reading Sharpe’s Company and it’s still as good as the first few times I’ve read it. This time round it got me thinking about the brave and somewhat suicidal men of the Forlorn Hope. You mentioned that any officers who managed to survive the hope would be given an instant promotion. My question is what about the common soldiers? Do the lucky few get anything other than pats on the back from envious fellow red coats? I can’t imagine a Private, for instance, throwing his life away for nothing more than brief glory. Thank you. Lawrence Leong