Sometimes I hesistate about posting graphic lines, but we cannot sugar-coat war. This advent series is about sharing the real voices of those who served and suffered. Cyril Hoodless, writing in August 1915 from Cairo says:

"I have been through the big hospitals and have seen some terrible sights – one poor fellow with a strong body but without either arms or legs."

Less than two years later, Private Cyril Hoodless died of head wounds received in action on 31 May 1917, only three months after his older brother, Arthur Hoodless, was killed. Two sons lost from one family. A story repeated in towns and villages across Britain.

We remember them not to dwell on horror, but to ensure their experiences are neither forgotten nor softened by time.