From the Ellesmere Port Advertiser of 18 Sept 1918 (vol 111, no 185):

ELLESMERE PORT
FAMILY'S FINE RECORD
FOUR BROTHERS IN ARMY
ONE A PRISONER
After a period of suspense and anxiety Mrs Grimes and family, of Wilkinson-street, 
Ellesmere Port, have been relieved by the receipt of a letter from Pte. Charlie Grimes 
to the effect that he is a prisoner of war in Germany.
Nineteen years of age, and formerly employed by the railway company as a cleaner, and 
working for Mr. Handley, who himself has sons fighting, Pte. Grimes joined the army in 
July 1917, and when the German offensive of the spring assumed such successful 
proportions in March, and it was necesary to fling our reserves across the Channel, Pte. 
Grimes was one of the number who went out to stem the tide. He was reported missing on 
May 30th. and his family received two official notifications to that effect. 
Arrangements were on the point of being completed for them to receive his pension, but 
a welcome postcard dated July 28th. worded "Don't worry; am all right" caused the 
cancellation of these arrangements. A letter followed, and was received by his mother 
last week. It read: "I am glad to say I am doing better now and quite happy with my 
pals, and having a nice time. Will let you know all when I come home. I received a 
parcel from the Red Cross, about 18s. worth in it, and I am entitled to six of these a 
month, and you are only allowed to send me one every three months. Send me some soap, a 
safety razor and blades. I have only had one shave since being captured. I went to my 
haversack this morning and found my razor and blades gone. I have had two lots of 
biscuits, and will draw another lot tomorrow."
The following letter is from Private Grimes' officer:- "I beg to inform you that a 
party, of which your son was a member, got surrounded in a wood, and it is as certain 
as anything can be in war that he was made a prisoner. I regret his loss very much, as 
he was always a ready, willing and cheery soldier. He was very popular with his 
comrades, and earned the respect of all with whom he came in contact."
Three more sons of Mrs. Grimes are doing their bit. William, aged 24, after having been 
wounded in France, is now working in the land, and before joining up worked at the 
Shropshire Union. Tom, aged 22, attached to the loco. unit, is awaiting draft to France, 
when he will become a unit of that never-ending line of communication which has become 
the wonder of the world and without which we could not have so effectively turned the 
tables on the Hun. James, aged 26, is in the Army also.