Hazel Frackelton, of Liverpool, recounts the story of her grandfather, who died of injures received in the First World War

My grandfather, Mark Benson Armer, lived in a little cottage in Captain French Lane in Kendal.

He married my grandmother, Lily, and they had four children - my father Reginald, a girl Joyce and twin boys Stanley and Horace.

I recently found a picture of the family taken just before grandad was killed in WW1.

It must have broken his heart to leave his beautiful children and realise he might never return to see them again - which sadly did happen.

Before he was called to the war my grandfather worked in a brewery in Kendal.

He was sent to France to fight in the battle of the Somme as a Lance Corporal. My mother always told us as children that grandfather was on horse back when he was injured.

I have tried in vain to find out just what his injuries were, but to no avail. However, his injuries were so severe that he had to be shipped back to England. There was a makeshift hospital in Essex, called Oaklands, specially adapted for wounded soldiers.

Grandad died in Oaklands in 1917 of his injuries. Because he was shipped home from France he was able to be buried in Kendal, unlike some brave soldiers who never got buried in England.

As children there were rumours our grandfather was buried in France. In those days children were told very little.

I recently went to Kendal to research my family history. I was shocked to find that he was actually buried in the town at Parkside Road cemetery.

Granddad's grave had not been visited for some 50 years. I spent five hours looking for his grave. I cried to think that no family had been to grave in all those years.

I put a little plaque up stating 'To my grandad' and a flower in memory.

I must thank the British Legion as they have tended the grave and kept it immaculate. I expected an old, broken grave but it had been kept lovely.

It was moving to see that they had put a wooden cross on it.

So this is in memory of my hero, my grandfather. It has been lovely to bring his story to people and keep his memory going strong.

RIP brave soldier and all those other brave soldiers who lost their lives in the battle of the Somme.