A photograph of my grandfather, Harry Brain, in tropical army uniform was the start of a fascinating journey to discover the part played by Harry and, as I later discovered, his brothers in the Great War. Harry is on the left in the photograph and his brother on the right. Why was Harry in tropical uniform when his regiment, the Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars served throughout the war in France and Belgium? Who was the unknown brother beside Harry in the photograph? Harry had been wounded in the war and the bullet in his leg was never removed. Where was he when he was wounded and what was he doing? During my research I was amazed to find that Harry had three other brothers who had served in the war. Albert Brain, 2nd Battalion Warwickshire Regiment missing believed killed in action 21st Nov 1914 in Fleurbaix, France, George Brain 10th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby) Regiment killed in action 22nd March 1918 in Havrincourt, France and William Brain 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards. Harry was wounded in the Battle of St Quentin 23rd March 1918. One can only imagine the anguish of their mother Sarah Brain of Calthorpe Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire on learning that two of her sons had been killed and another wounded. George had moved to Tollerton, Notts before the war and George, a former postman in Bloxham, near Banbury had married then moved to Liverpool. Albert and Harry, however, like very many other Banbury men had set out from Calthorpe Street, Banbury to do their bit in the Great War. I found a photo of Harry in a group of wounded/sick men and nurses in the grounds of the Red Cross Hospital, West Street, Grimsbury. This Wesleyan Chapel was used as a hospital from 1915 to 1919. It would be very exciting if the other men in the group could be identified. It transpired that brother George is in the photograph. He was with the 9th Btn. Sherwood Foresters who were in Egypt in Feb/Mar 1916. Harry was in Egypt with the Corps of Hussars from 20th April 1915, probably attached to the Dorsetshire Yeomanry but, also, at some point in Dec 1915 he was attached to the Lancashire Hussars. He joined the Oxfordshire Hussars in France in Dec 1916. Harry and George were both victims of the German Offensive in March 1918. Although their service records no longer exist it has been possible to piece together where the brothers were and what they were doing at the time the war ended for them. Digitising and uploading the artefacts and documents about the men who served will ensure that their experiences and sacrifice will never be forgotten. || Photographs 1. Harry & George 2. Banbury Red Cross Hospital Newspaper Extract 3. Albert Killed in Action 4. Harry and his comrades in 1918 || || Photograph || Harry (on left) & George In Egypt 1916 || Middle East || Harry & George || Egypt || || Banbury, Oxon || Banbury Guardian dated || Albert Brain || Announcement of Alberts Death || Photograph || || Harry Brain and other wounded/sick patients and the nursing staff in the Red Cross Hospital, West Street, Grimsbury, Banbury, Oxon || Harry in Red Cross Hospital, Banbury. Back row 5th from left || Photograph || Banbury, Oxon || Harry Brain& Fellow servicemen || || Harry and his comrades || Photograph || A group of Oxfordshire Hussars in 1918 (except the man in the back row on the right who appears to be from an (unknown) Irish Regiment). Harry is on the right in the front row. || Harry Brain

Sidney George Samways joined the North Somerset Yeomanry in 1914. They had 6 weeks to learn how to ride, mustered at Forrest Row (see pictures), Sussex, before they shipped out to the continent in 1914. Sidney survived the war, as a corporal in the Inniskillin Dragoon guards, after the North Somerset Yeomanry were disbanded (most were killed). When the troops were away from the front line they had sports days and competitions. Corporal Sidney Samways won the Best Man At Arms Mounted, at the North Somerset Yeomanry Regimental Sports Day on 3rd October, 1917 (see pictures). || Solid silver cup awarded to CPL. S. G. Samways Man At Arms Mounted, at the North Somerset Yeomanry Regimental Sports Day on 3rd October, 1917. || || Sidney Samways, Forrest Row, Sussex || Photograph || 51.09739099999999,0.0332220000000234 || Sidney George Samways is the one in the centre. Does anybody recognise his two pals? If so, please contact gregsamways @ wanadoo (.) fr || Forest Row, Sussex

Trois frères partent à la guerre Le grand père Numa Petit Les grands oncles : Guillaume Petit le frère de Numa et Gilbert Arnaud leur demi-frère Numa était infirmier au 144 RI avec les spais Tunisiens à Charlerois. Il a fait Verdun et la Marne. Un jour qu'il devait partir en permission elle est annulée, de rage il jette son tabac et clame je ne fumerai jamais plus, j'en serai malade. Il sortira indemne, aucune blessure, de la guerre. || Doc 1 photo de Numa Petit, photo étuit à cigarette et boussole Doc 2-4 photo de Guillaume, médailles militaires, diplôme || || Français || Photo de Numa Petit. Avant guerre il était sabotier, après guerre il devient postier à pieds puis grâce à l'instituteur qui le fait travailler receveur à Parempuyre. Pendant la guerre il est au 144 RI de Charelois || Photograph || Guerre mondiale (1914-1918) -- Guerre de tranchées || Western Front || Trench Life || Guerre mondiale (1914-1918) -- Récits personnels || Numa Petit || || Guerre mondiale (1914-1918) -- Campagnes et batailles -- Front occidental || Western Front || Guillaume Petit frère de Numa Petit, dans le 6ème génie, meurt en 1915 à Aigny dans le Pas de Calais || Français || Photograph || Guillaume Petit || || Guerre mondiale (1914-1918) -- Campagnes et batailles -- Front occidental || Guillaume Petit || Diplome de médaille militaire || Western Front || Français || Publication || diplome de médaille militaire || || Other || Guerre mondiale (1914-1918) -- Campagnes et batailles -- Front occidental || Français || Western Front || enveloppe et cachet métallique de médaille || || deux médailles militaires || Français || Other || Guerre mondiale (1914-1918) -- Campagnes et batailles -- Front occidental || Western Front