Charles Richmond was my great grandmother's cousin. He died at the battle of the Somme aged just 18. His brother Edward was taken prisoner in 1918. His other brothers also fought, except one who was declared unsuitable as a soldier. I always wonder how John may have felt, or have been treated, by his family after the death of his youngest brother. My great grandmother Elizabeth Breakell met my great grandfather Henry Adams thanks to this war, she was his nurse when he was wounded. He survived the war due to his wallet in his breast pocket, the machine gun bullet hit that instead of his heart. We still have the wallet. I have a lot to be grateful for, in terms of the bravery of my great grandparents' generation.

Rachael Bryson