A SOLDIER dubbed the real-life Saving Private Ryan after he was brought home from the First World War when his five brothers were killed has been commemorated during a special service.

Wilfred Smith, of Barnard Castle, County Durham, was the only surviving son of Margaret Smith, of Bridgegate, after his brothers, Robert, 22, George Henry, 26, John William Stout, 37, Frederick, 21, and Alfred, 30, were all killed on the frontline.

The tragedies prompted a local vicar’s wife to write to the Queen, asking for her to intervene and send Wilfred, who was in his early 20s, home to his mother.

The young man was indeed returned home from France and a few years later, in 1923, the pair laid the first wreath at Barnard Castle’s newly unveiled war memorial, at the Bowes Museum.

Despite suffering chronic chest problems throughout his life caused by a mustard gas attack by the Germans, Mr Smith lived until he was 72 and raised five children with his wife, Hannah, in his home town.

Now the Smith brothers have been remembered with a special ceremony at the museum to mark the 100th anniversary since the first brother’s death, on September 19, 1916.

Students from Thrybergh Academy, in Rotherham, also recorded a song, along with their music teacher Chris Clayton, in memory of the Smith family and their sacrifice.

Along with students from Barnard Castle School, they performed ‘The Boys from the Poor House Yard’ live for the first time at the museum today.

Speaking to dignitaries invited to the special event, Mr Clayton said pupils originally studied the family’s story during the school’s remembrance service last November when he was asked to write a poem which quickly developed into a song as he was so moved by the family’s story.

All proceeds from the song, which was officially released today, will go the the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes.

Many of Mr Smith’s family members still live in the town, and attended the service, which included a procession to the town’s war memorial in the museum grounds, led by the Royal Dragoon Guards.

Local reverend, Alec Harding and Barnard Castle School chaplain Father Darren Moore then led the prayers while the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Sue Snowdon, laid a wreath along with pupils from Thrybergh Academy.

The youngest daughter of Wilfred, Diane Nelson, and her daughter, Amanda Harrison, were among the family members who attended the event.

Mrs Harrison, 50, is one of 13 of Mr Smith’s grandchildren, and said she felt “honoured” when Mr Clayton approached her about the song.

“I just felt quite emotional to think someone wants to write a story about our family because they fought for all of us,” she said.

“My grandfather’s story has been dubbed the real-life Saving Private Ryan and it is the true version and I have always said if it was not for the vicar’s wife we probably would not be here today.”

Mrs Nelson added: “It’s nice to have today because you don’t think anyone remembers them [the brothers] and it’s a very good turn-out so it’s lovely to see them.

“I think my dad would have liked this but he would have kept it in his mind and in his own thoughts.”