A FAMILY that lost four brothers who died in the Second World War has been honoured after a new development in Wisbech was named after them on Remembrance Sunday.

Thomas, George, Arthur and Reginald Bruce were killed in action during the conflict and Fenland District Council decided to name Bruce Close, off Railway road, after a campaign to remember the family in the town the brothers never returned to.

Colin Malkin unveiled the sign in honour of his uncles in front of 50 members of the Bruce and Malkin family on Sunday, November 13.

The brothers’ parents Ada and George, a chimney sweep, lived in a small house on Russell Street, Wisbech, with their eight sons and two daughters.

Martha Ellen Malkin (nee Bruce) was sister to the four men, her son Colin still lives in the town. He started the campaign when he realised that other new developments were being named after more recent conflicts including the Falklands.

Mr Malkin, who lives in West Parade, remembers his uncles and the effect the news had on their mother. He said: ““She never got over the shock. To lose one son was terrible, but to lose four was almost more than she could bear. It changed her life and she was never the same again.”

Thomas was the first to die at Dunkirk on June 1, 1940 and two year’s later George drowned at Alexander in the Antarctic. Arthur and Reginald both died within weeks of each other at Caen, Normandy. All four of the brothers left widows.

Councillor Michael Humphrey, who Andrew Malkin praised for helping the campaign to be successful, said: “I’m delighted that this has finally come to pass and that the council has been able to play its part in helping to honour these very brave men and the sacrifices they made. This is a fitting and lasting tribute to them.”