大象传媒

This small terraced house in Moston was home to six Willis brothers. The family moved from Harpurhey to a three up two down house on Elizabeth Street before the six brothers enlisted leaving behind their mother Eliza.

Three brothers, Fred, Harry and Ernest were killed on the Western Front. Another brother, Arthur, was taken prisoner after the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. James William, the youngest brother, joined up at 17 but suffered shell shock.

Thomas was only 21 when he married his sweetheart on August 3rd 1914 the day before war broke out. He would later lose a leg but return to his home, which by now had been renamed Ebsworth Street. Thomas would raise three daughters and a son, Tom, who remains proud of his family.

Location: Ebsworth Street, Moston, Manchester M40 9JB
Imageshows the Willis brothers, courtesy of Tom Willis
Presented by Jonathan Ali