THE MEMORY of a much-loved grandfather killed on the Somme on July 16, 1916 brought a family together for a ceremony at Hardy's monument on Black Down.

Thank you to Anne Powell for contacting Looking Back about her grandfather, Lieutenant Colonel William Digby Oswald, DSO.

On July 16, Anne and her family gathered on the centenary of Billy Oswald's death. He was only 36 when he died at a casualty clearing station on the Somme as a result of wounds he received at Bazentin Ridge.

Between serving his country and fighting in the Boer War and First World War, Billy returned to Weymouth, the home of his wife Catherine (Kitty) Mary Yardley.

It was while sailing in Weymouth Bay on leave that he was called up to return to the trenches.

Speaking of the family service, Anne said: "We had a wonderful and happy gathering on a glorious day.

"There were 23 of us, 19 direct descendants – three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren and four in-laws.

"We had an excellent lunch in the garden of the King's Arms in Portesham and then a ceremony in front of the memorial seat at Hardy's Monument."

The family listened to three short readings about Anne's grandfather and how he received his wound and was taken to the advanced aid post before he died

Next week we'll return to the memories of Billy Oswald and Anne's research into his life and family.