PARKWOOD boys Joseph William Tatton and Charles Lowndes grew up together with their families living just two doors away from each other in Belle Vue Terrace.

They joined the Territorials together in 1913 and in spring two years later they were sent together to the Western Front.

They travelled with two other Keighley men, Tom Allsopp and Arthur Heaton Scott, and for the next 18 months the quartet served together in the trenches.

And it was on the same day, October 20, when all four men were killed by German mortar bombs exploding in the same trench.

In fact, Lance Corporals Tatton and Lowndes were actually killed by the same bomb.

Two months later, Keighley News reported: “It is a pathetic coincidence that they met their death instantaneously by the explosion of a trench mortar.

“Both young men had been comrades since boyhood, and joined the Territorials, going out to the front together in April 1915.

“In the bitter defence of Ypres, fighting before overwhelming odds, they would be found together, and during the summer they were both on leave at home, and only a few weeks ago they were promoted to non-commissioned rank.

“Both fellows were of a pleasant disposition and highly esteemed.”