Thomas and Eliza Everton of Birmingham saw all eight of their sons volunteer for service in World War One, a feat so rare that King George V sent a personal letter of thanks in 1915. The framed letter, which includes photographs of each serving son, has been passed down through generations of the family.
The brothers ranged in age from 20 to 43 when war broke out in August 1914. They enlisted in different regiments, all seeing front-line action. The eldest, Alfred, served as a gunner sergeant in the Royal Field Artillery, while Thomas William, the second eldest, was killed in action at the Battle of Loos on 25 September 1915 at age 38.
Despite the tragedy, the remaining seven brothers survived the war and returned home decorated. Francis Frederick, who had lost a 21-month-old daughter in 1916, was discharged in February 1919 with three war medals. Other brothers received between three and five medals each for their service.
John Jones, 76, whose wife Rita is a great-granddaughter of Eliza Everton, described the family's contribution as 'unique, outstanding'. He noted that all eight were volunteers, adding: 'They weren't youngsters — it's tremendous stuff.'
