[MargaretR]

I do not know whether my grandfathers served in WW1.
It was never mentioned in my childhood so I suspect they did not.

Cotton workers were usually deemed in 'reserved occupations' during WW2 and that is why my father didn't serve but his 2 brothers did.

I recollect being told that my grandfathers were cotton workers which may have been a 'reserved occupation' for that war also.