‘Our rifles were our best pals, and it was up to us to look after them ’ Memoirs of Corporal George Pine, 6th Battalion, the Gloucestershire Regiment The four Pine brothers all fought in the First World War. Before 1914 Thomas and Fred had already served in Hong Kong, South Africa, India and Burma with the regular army. Thomas was in the Border Regiment and Fred the South Wales Borderers. George was a part-time soldier in the Territorial Force and Harry was a Reservist. Both were called up in 1914.

Thomas fought and was killed at Gallipoli in 1915.Fred fought in China, Gallipoli and France. He was awarded the Military Medal and was killed in April 1918. He never knew his wife was pregnant with their first child.

Harry fought with the Gloucestershire Regiment and the Royal Engineers in France. Wounded once, he was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French government.

George fought with the Gloucestershire Regiment. He served in Belgium, France and Italy. He was wounded three times and awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.