大象传媒

David Hawling, a foreman in a Cheltenham brewery, enlisted in the 10th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment in September 1914, within a month of war breaking out.

In August 1915 he left his home at 11 Nailsworth Terrace, St Paul's, Cheltenham for what was to be the last time.

He died, with more than 40 other men from the town, on the first day of the bloody Battle of Loos, September 25, 1915.

David Hawling in his army uniform

Treasured mementoes

David's widow Beatrice was pregnant when he died.

A few letters and photographs, his war medals, a memorial plaque and a message of condolence from the King were all that she and her son were left to remember David by.

Today those mementoes are treasured by David's grandson Chris Hawling, who will pass them on to his own descendants when he dies.

"My Dad never knew his father. It's a shame because I've got five grandchildren and I play with them but I never knew what it is to play with a Grampy.

"Dying in the war was tragic, but it was hard for the people left behind, like my gran. She never looked at another man, and she did scivvying jobs to bring my Dad up. She was my hero."