During the Great War, the theme of 'brothers in arms' was a regular feature of local newspapers. Several members of the same family who were all on active service were depicted in articles couched in patriotic language, usually concluding with congratulations for 'doing their bit' for their country.

The small island of Alderney was no exception, with 'Mr Attewell's nine soldier sons' listed in the Guernsey Weekly Press as early as 21 December 1914. Mr M. Attewell, who by then was living at Victoria Terrace, Guernsey, is pictured with his wife, one of their sons, Gunner Alfred Attewell, RGA and their son in law Sergeant Edward Kiernan, Royal Irish Regiment. Around them are photographs of the couple's other sons, Second Lieutenant George Attewell, Corporals Frank, James and Arthur Attewell, Sergeants Fred and Harry Attewell, Private Gilbert Attewell and Private Charles Attewell (who had died while serving with the Royal Fusiliers in India), all in uniform.

The 1901 Channel Islands census shows the Attewell family living in St Anne's, Alderney, and consisting of;

William Attewell, Head of household, husband of Annie, born about 1851 in England, now of St Anne, Alderney.

Annie Attewell, wife of William, born about 1853 in England, of St Anne, Alderney.

Agnes Attewell, born about 1887, in Alderney, of St Anne, Alderney.

Gilbert Attewell born about 1889 in Alderney, of St Anne, Alderney.

Harry Attewell born about 1891 in Alderney, of St Anne, Alderney.

Arthur Attewell born about 1892 in Alderney, of St Anne, Alderney.

Priscilla Attewell born about 1897 in Alderney, of St Anne, Alderney.

Alfred Attewell born about 1894, in Alderney, of St Anne, Alderney.

Ellen Attewell born about 1899 in Alderney, of St Anne, Alderney.

One year after the first article was written, the Attewell family picture had altered considerably. Corporal Arthur Attewell of the Royal Fusiliers, by this stage 'son of Mrs A.R. Attewell and the late Mr W. Attewell', had been killed in action on 29 September 1915. Thus, Mrs Attewell had been widowed and lost a son within a year. Corporal Attewell has no known grave, but is commemorated on the Loos memorial.

Sergeant Fred Attewell, also of the Royal Fusiliers, was killed less than six months later, on 28 February 1917. Aged 37, he was married, and had been awarded long service and good conduct medals. He is buried at Sailly-Saillisel British Cemetery, on the Somme.

A third son, Lance-Corporal Gilbert Attewell, again of the Royal Fusiliers, died on 13 April 1918, age 29. He had been awarded the Military Medal early in 1917, when he was still a Private. Again, he has no known grave, but is commemorated on the Ploegsteert memorial in Belgium.

All three sons are listed on the Bailiwick of Guernsey memorial at the top of Smith Street.