BORN in Blackburn in 1897, Bernard Ross was just 17 when World War 1 broke out and he went to fight.

Serving with the East Lancashire Regiment he wrote letters from the trenches to his parents, Elizabeth and Joseph Ross, at the family home at 1, Hawkshead Street.

And in them he told of his days on the front line, as German shells exploded around the men – with one landing straight in his trench – parcels from home, gas attacks and the simple pleasure of having a blanket on which to sleep.

One of his letters is reproduced here, written from France – he was not allowed to say exactly where – and dated Saturday, May 16, 1917.

It’s been in the family for 97 years and is today in the proud possession of his nephew, David Ross, of Blackburn, the son of Bernard’s younger brother Sam.

Bernard was one of the lucky ones, after being wounded in the foot in 1918, he was given an honourable discharge. He came home, married Clara and they ran a sweets and tobacco shop in Bank Top for many years. Bernard died in his eighties.

Bernard and Sam also had a dance band called Jack Ross Dance Band, and made many appearances at Oswaldtwistle town hall. David said: “Uncle Bernard didn’t speak much about his experiences, he only ever told us one story about his time in the trenches – and that was about being sent for some bacon from the stores.

“Returning, he fell over and the rashers were covered in mud, but they were washed off and still eaten by the men.”

When Bernard wrote home in 1917, the envelope, marked SWAK – sealed with a kiss – on the back, was addressed just to his mum, but the letter began ‘Dear Mam and Dad’.

It continues: Just a line to let you know I am quite well and in the pink, hoping you all the same. I have received your welcome letter and parcels today Whit Saturday, the one dated May 8th with the towel in I got this morning.

Everything in this was alright, only for the meat pies and bread, they had gone bad but the currant cakes and jam pasties was excellent, oh didn’t I enjoy it.

We came out of the front line last night and landed here this morning. I had a good feed with the parcel, made some tea this morning and then I got your letter to say you had sent another parcel on. I dashed to the mail and there was another for me with meat pies in. They were quite fresh and everything in this parcel was lovely.

The three shillings was there as well, also the housewife that our Lizzie had sent and I thank her very much for them.

Tell our Peg I could see her sucking white humbugs when I saw them in the parcel.

We were glad of dry bread in trenches this time I can tell you. I didn’t like marmalade till we went in but have eaten it with a spoon.

We hadn’t got any mail for a while and some of the lads had four or five parcels landed all at once. They couldn’t get them to us. The first two days in the trenches was alright but the third day about 12 o’clock dinner time they started sending their Jack Johnsons at us. Oh didn’t they give it us hot.

They are only poor trenches what we are in now; we have advanced so far they were dropping their shells all round us and then one dropped right in and buried me up to the waist.

It killed a corporal, wounded two more corporals very badly and slightly wounded two men.

I got hit by a piece of owd iron on the leg but it only burnt a hole in my pants, so I was very lucky.

Then in the night I was picked out to guide another regiment to another part of the line and it was a very dangerous job I can tell you in the dark.

I was responsible for leading them right but I chanced my luck and I got them to the right place alright. The night after, me and some others were picked out for a covering party and we were only 15 or 20 yards from the German lines and they were sending their Very lights and I had to keep low, I can tell you.

They had their machine guns on us and they were sniping like mad at us. We were there two hours I had some bombs ready for them.

But I was glad when we got back safe. We then got relieved and after being in the second line a bit, they sent some gas over and some our lads got a fair dose of it, but none of them are so bad.

They have just sent another shell over where we are now and killed one and wounded two. I can stand the noise of the shells alright, if they keep a bit away from me.

I haven’t had a wash for five days so I will feel a bit fresher when I have had a wash and a sleep.

We have got a blanket to sleep on tonight so me and another lad are going to have a good sleep. We are sleeping together, one blanket under us and one over us.

While we were in the trenches I saw a German airman bring down one of ours and he had to drop in their lines. The barn we were in is not as good as that at the back of our house but I will be glad if we get to another place like it.

I have received our May’s letter alright and you will be alright now under Jack Monk. It is not so nice I can tell you when they are sending shells at you and you can’t do anything at them and all the time they were shelling us, our artillery never fired a shot at them.

I have got my postal order and photos of my granddad and grandma. I don’t forget them I can tell you.

It is rumoured that we are going in the trenches again on Monday, but whether it is true or not I can’t say. I hope not, but whether or not, I know you will pray for my safety and I will trust and obey.

I will now close, with best love from your ever loving son, xxxxxxxxxx Bernard xxxxxxxxx