THERE have been so many stories of whole families going to war, during our frequent looks back at East Lancashire and World War One, during this centenary year.

Well, here is another instance of family patriotism, this time shown by the Roberts family, of Mill Hill, Blackburn.

For in 1917, it was reported that the husband and three sons of Mrs Fred Roberts of Maria Street, were serving with the colours and descendant John Blackburn has shared the dispatch with readers.

At that time, Fred was a lance corporal with the 3rd East Lancashire regiment and was on military duty at Plymouth, He had begun his military career 30 years earlier, as a trooper in the 13th Hussars.

Son Thomas was a stoker on board the high speed, scout ship Bellona, attached to the Grand Fleet, which was fitted with special aerial guns.

He joined the Navy in 1914, having previously being employed as railway staff in Blackburn.

Early in the war the Bellona was damaged in a storm and the crew, including seaman Roberts, were given leave of absence for 48 hours.

This and one other short stay in port, was the only break they had had during the conflict in their vigilance guarding the British coast.

Thomas was the only member of the family to lose his life in WWI; he was later wounded and died in hospital from his injuries.

Another son was Herbert, a mechanical transport driver attached to the Army service Corps.

When war broke out he had been employed as a motor lorry chauffeur by cotton manufacturer’s Messrs John Baynes and Sons and was the holder of a motor mechanic’s certificate.

The third son was James, a dispatch driver in the Royal Artillery (Territorials), who were then in Egypt, and attached to the headquarters’ staff.

Writing home that week from camp at Heliopolis, Cairo, he told his mother: “Our battery has been in action, but fortunately with no loss.

“We have taken 800 Turks prisoners and have killed a few hundred; there have been four seriously injured in the third brigade.

“I am on picket duty all night, so I will close, hoping to see you all at home for easter or August.”