Ralph Edward Smith (father of the contributor) joined the Royal Engineers at the age of 19 and went to Mesopotamia. He was promoted to sergeant, captured by the Turks and held at a local village. He was held there for two days before being rescued by two Gurkhas. He was taken back to camp where he was relieved of his sergeant stipes because it was against orders to leave the camp at night and alone. He survived the war and came home in 1918 to peace and unemployment. He wouldn't marry until he found a job, which he did in 1926. || Photo of Ralph Edward Smith taken in 1928.

Arthur F. Gooding in uniform || || Arthur F. Gooding || Photograph taken from a collecting day at Age Exchange, London UK || The medals, cap-badges, and pocket-watch of Arthur F Gooding

Colin Butler, who submitted this story, worked for Lyn Macdonald researching WW1 and now runs battlefield tours to the Menin Gate. He met Harry Patch (1898-2009)and organised the return of Harry as a member of the 7th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, and the oldest surviving WW1 soldier, to Langemarck to unveil a plaque on 27 September 2008. He submitted an album of memorabilia associated with the Langemarck plaque ceremony. || Album of memorabilia associated with the Langemarck plaque ceremony