ALMOST every family lost a son, in nearly every street at least one house would be in mourning.

The First World War was one of the deadliest conflicts in history, with the total number of casualties put at more than 37 million.

When Britain declared war on Germany on August 4, 1914, many reckoned it would all be over by Christmas.

But over the next four years, ferocious battles including those of Gallipoli, the Somme, Ypres and Passchendaele and the resulting loss of life brought the horror into every home.

This year marks the centenary of the start of the Great War and The Westmorland Gazette wants to tell the stories of the local reservists, territorials and the ordinary men on the street, who answered the call to arms.

If your grandfather or great grandfather fought in the war, The Westmorland Gazette wants to hear their story. If you have photographs of them or their regiments, we would like to share them with readers.

And if your grandmother told tales of how life was in the towns, villages and farms of the area with the menfolk gone, we want to know about it.

We also want to hear about any events you might be organising to commemorate the anniversary of the outbreak of war.

Send your stories or photographs and memories, plus details of any events you are organising, to allan.tunningley @kendal.newsquest.co.uk, or call 01539-710156.