大象传媒

Seven brothers from one Sussex family - including two sets of twins - went to fight in the Second World War and all returned safely.

This account is being written by Trudy Draper, daughter of Ray Pierce and niece of the rest.

My family is immensely proud of the war record of the brothers, who were all modest men just doing their bit. I only found out details when I researched the Second World War for a local history exhibition in Ashurst Wood.

The brothers were sent around the world except twins Ray (my father) and Ron Pierce, who were too young to go abroad and ended up loading bombs onto Lancasters in Lincolnshire.

The oldest was Gunner Frederick Lindfield, who served in Germany with the Royal Artillery and was one of the first Allied soldiers to relieve Belsen, where he helped to bury the dead.

Gunner Ernest Lindfield served with the Merchant Navy on the anti aircraft ships and part of the convoy around Norway to Mansk, Russia.

Harry Lindfield served with the Royal Berkshire Regiment then in 1941 was a lance corporal in the Military Police. He went over to France on D-Day.

Leading Aircraftman Robert Lindfield served in Burma and his twin Leading Aircraftman Albert (Darkey) served in the Middle East and India.

The youngest twins served with the Royal Air Force; both were Leading Aircraftmen and Ronald and Raymond served with the Halifax bombers 467 Squadron, RAAF Bomber Command Group 3 as Armourer/Fitters.

Ronald did get to Singapore until his age was discovered and as he was only 17 he was sent home again.

Their mother was Mrs Elizabeth Pierce - 1895 - 1981, who was one of the lucky ones as all her sons returned home.

Only two of the brothers are still alive - the youngest twins Ronald and Raymond.

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