SIX OUT OF seven brothers from an Oxenhope family joined the army during the First World War.

Harry and Fred Bates, whose parents lived at Grange Farm, were both killed in action during the four years of fighting.

Meanwhile brother Joe won the Military Medal twice and another sibling, Private Sam Bates, was awarded the Medale Militaire.

Joe, born in 1893, was an Oxenhope quarryman before enlisting with the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment and becoming a lance corporal.

In December 1917, soon after he won the Military Medal for the first time, Joe was admitted to hospital in Rouen with severe gunshot wounds in the ear and right leg.

The following summer Joe was wounded again, and the wounds were so serious that his right foot had to be amputated.

The Keighley News of the time reported that the operation at the base hospital in Rouen had been successful and he was making good progress.

The newspaper said: “Lance Corporal Bates has always shown himself to be a smart soldier.

“The record of the Bates family in regard to enlistment is remarkable, and one of which they have every reason to be proud.

“Five of their sons entered the forces, and two have made the supreme sacrifice.”