This is the story of a patriotic Rushden family of six brothers, all serving in the Forces.

Is there anything to beat it in the neighbourhood?

Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Ekins, of 27, Harborough-road, are the parents.

Mr. Ekins is a boot worker in the employ of Messrs. Bignells Ltd. he is not an old soldier, and there is no military stock on either side of the family, yet one by one the six boys have eagerly answered their country’s call, and one was in the Air Force long before the war.

All three of the Fighting Services figure in the family record.

CHARLES EDMOND, the eldest son, is busy in the Royal Naval Sick Berth Reserve, having been called up at the outbreak of war. Only a few weeks ago he received the Long Service Medal of the St. John Ambulance Brigade. In peace-time he worked for Messrs. J. and C. Claridge, boot manufacturers. He is married and his home is at 7, Manton-road.

JOSEPH the second son, is a sergeant in the R.A.S.C., and the only one of the brothers now serving abroad. He has been in the Middle East about 16 months. Before his voluntary enlistment he was in the Rushden Industrial Co-operative Society office and a tenor in the Adult School choir.

SAMUEL has 11 years’ experience in the R.A.F. and is now a Flight Sergeant on storekeeping duty. His old firm is John White’s.

DENNIS, a driver in the R.A.S.C. joining up in May 1940 a short time after his marriage. He is a keen cricketer and footballer, and his civilian work was at the Birchall-road Co-operative grocery store. His wife resides at Stanwick.

ALFRED left the factory of Messrs. Walter Sargent and Co. and joined the Royal Artillery last September.

REGINALD the youngest, became restless after all his brothers had left, and in November, at the age of 17, joined the Navy, in which he now serves as a supply assistant. He had been employed by Messrs. Eaton and Co.

All six were boy choristers at St. Mary’s Church, and went through the Sunday School. Sam, Alf and Reg are ex-Boy Scouts.

There are three sisters, too. One is married and her husband, Fred Hardwick, is serving in the Northamptonshires with recollections of the Dunkirk episode last year.

The “boys” all write home regularly, and the postman knows 27, Harborough-road particularly well.

There is much that the mother of such a family could say, but Mrs. Ekins is one who stoutly conceals her emotions. All she would say is this: “I didn’t want my boys to go, but I would not stop them.”