Photograph of Walter Ashworth in June 1919 on the occasion of his marriage to Florence Thrower. He is seated with Florence (dressed in white) resting her arm on his left shoulder. || My grandfather attempted to join the army in 1903 by lying about his age (he was 17 at the time). He was turned down by the King's (Liverpool) but made another attempt in April 1904 and was accepted into the Lancashire Fusiliers (transferring to the King's following basic training). He served until 1911, mostly in India, and was then released into the reserves. He was mobilised on August 5th 1914 and was in France with the 1st King's Liverpool's by August 13th 1914 with the BEF. He was with the 1st Corps at Mons, Belgium, on 22nd/23rd August, the retreat to the Marne and at the 1st battle of Ypres, receiving the 1914 Star. He was also at the battle of Loos (in Givenchy) where he was awarded the DCM in March 1915 and promoted to the rank of sergeant. He also took part in the battle of the Somme with the 2nd division between August and November 1916. He was promoted to Company Sergeant Major in April 1918 at the height of the German Spring offensives and was awarded the MM in August 1918. He remained in the army until 1925, marrying my grandmother in June 1919. Unfortunately he died of Lobar Pneumonia in April 1935 just short of his 50th birthday. || || Grandfather's wedding || Photograph || Nuneaton

Photograph of Sgt.Alexander Johnson Medal collection. letter from Southampton (3 pages) Copy of service record || My Paternal Grandfather was a shoeing smith in the 20th Hussars and served with the British Expeditionary Force during the WW1. He served in 'C' squadron and his campaign is well documented in the book 20th Hussars in the Great War by Major J.C.Darling, D.S.O. The account of their mobilisation corresponds exactly with the letter I attach, written to his wife just prior to embarkation at Southampton || || Alexander Johnson || 50.8512778,2.8841944000000694 || Front || || Front || Service record || || 50.90970040000001,-1.404350900000054 || Southampton || Front || Letter prior to embarkation || || Front || 50.8512778,2.8841944000000694 || Letter prior to embarkation (page 2) || || Front || 50.8512778,2.8841944000000694 || Letter prior to embarkation (page 3) || || Campaign medals || 50.8512778,2.8841944000000694

The item connected with this story is a photograph of my grandfather John Hutchings in his army uniform. The photograph was found in the attic of the family home. || My grandfather John Hutchings was born in 1878, in Somerset in England. He was a member of the Church of England. At the age of eleven he started a five year apprenticeship as a tailor. In 1894, at the age of fifteen he joined the Somerset Light Infantry, then in 1901, he joined the Corp 19th Hussars. He was stationed in Ireland in 1912 where he met and married Mary Ann Lyons later that year. They had three sons, John Jackie Henry, Albert William who later served in the navy during World War II, and Leslie Patrick. During the war John served as a Sergeant Master Tailor. He served in France on August 16th 1914, Egypt in 1919 and Turkey in 1920. My grandfather is entitled to the Star, British war medal 1914-1920, Victory medal army, the long service and good conduct medals. He was discharged from the army in 1922 after 21 years of service. He finished his career with the 20th Hussars. He then moved to Kilmainham, Dublin, Ireland where he died in 1945. || || Photograph || Photograph of John Henry Hutchings || Here is a photograph of my grandfather John Henry Hutchings in his army uniform. The photograph is in a really good condition and was found in the attic of the family home.