‘Aquaticus’ devoted two paragraphs over two weeks to the Griffin family from Chalford Hill, giving a lively and useful insight into the way that whole families were absorbed into the war, those already professional soldiers and their brothers who had chosen other paths:

Harry Griffin…served about 18 years in the RAMC before being transferred to the 8th Gloucesters about a year and a half ago. Been all over the World and farther at the Nation’s expense. At the…outbreak he was hospital steward on board, and in New York when recalled. He is now in the band as a trombone player…Griffin had about 12 months in the heavy fighting.” (Journal, 18th October)

The Griffins are a war-like set of brothers and worthy scions of the house of Mr Joe Griffin…Lionel, another brother…of the RFA, arrived home from hospital at Northampton, and nearly frightened his brother’s speech away in the doing of it. He came in unknown and unexpected, and had the audacity to creep into Harry’s bed and put his cold feet in the small of the latter’s back. Lionel was wounded at Cambrai in the hip with shrapnel. Just previous he had two horses killed under him. Before joining up he was doing the farming stunt, and has now had two years of it…The next brother, Otto, also in the RFA and a bombardier, went three years ago to France, and to Italy last October, and was wounded with shrapnel in the head. Only been home on leave once, and that was from Italy…he was captain of Chalford soccer club, and to have attained such an honour in that mountainous village of fighters ne must be a good man. He was a clerk at Messrs Townsend and Co. The youngest brother, Carl, is wireless operator in the RAF with seven months’ service in France. This at such a time doesn’t sound long, but considering he joined up 18 months ago, and is even now only 18 years of age, it is seen that he was in it long before his time. He was clerk at Messrs Ball, Smith and Playne’s, from which place he went to the Workhouse. This, of course, sounds queer, so we had better add that he went there in a clerical capacity. All the four brothers   peculiarly enough have met in France. Harry, who is still at home, said he was looking forward to spending his 5th Christmas in France, as he finds Chalford air too strong for him. He added, however, that he was not sure whether it was the air or the beer…Would have liked to stop longer in Stroud, only ‘Duggy’ (Haig) couldn’t spare him. (Journal, 1st November)

Otto Griffin

This image of Otto Griffin is taken from a photograph of Chalford football team in 1919. All four brothers survived the war, though Harry, born in 1880, died young, in 1924.