Huddersfield soldier Frederick Pickup survived four years on the World War One frontline only to be taken prisoner just months from the end of the conflict that changed the world.

But he then survived captivity to return to his home town and a life with his beloved fiancee, Kathleen, who became his wife.

The couple had three sons – the late Peter, Stephen – and the youngest, Arnold, who went on to become well-known in Huddersfield for running charity marathons.

Arnold, now 84, of Dalton, has always been intrigued by his father’s war service and done his best to piece it together.

Among his father’s belongings were photographs and a Christmas card sent to frontline soldiers by Edward, Duke of Windsor, who went on to become Edward VIII from January 1936 until abdicating in December the same year due to his love for American divorcee Wallis Simpson.

Arnold Pickup with his late father, Frederick's World War One medals (from left) the Victory Medal, the British War Medal 1914-1920 and the 1914/15 Star

When the First World War broke out in 1914 Edward had reached the minimum age for active service and was keen to participate. He had joined the Grenadier Guards in June 1914 and although he was willing to serve on the frontlines Secretary of State for War Lord Kitchener refused to allow it, citing the immense harm if the heir to the throne were captured by the enemy.

Despite this, Edward witnessed trench warfare first-hand and attempted to visit the frontline as often as he could for which he was awarded the Military Cross in 1916. His role in the war, although limited, made him popular among veterans of the conflict. Edward undertook his first military flight in 1918 and later gained a pilot’s licence.

But quite why he sent Frederick a Christmas card remains unclear.

Frederick was born in North Yorkshire in 1896 but the family soon moved to Huddersfield where his brother, Walter Pickup, established a successful tailoring business in Upperhead Row.

After the war Frederick joined him as a tailor’s cutter.

Frederick joined the 1/5th Bn of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in 1912 and was sent to France in April 1915.

The battalion was then involved in some of the deadliest battles of the war – including Ypres, Somme and Passchendaele – before it was disbanded in January 1918 and Frederick joined the 8th Durham Light Infantry.

He served as a stretcher bearer and was mentioned in dispatches for his bravery in recovering wounded soldiers from the battlefield as they retreated under heavy German attack. This was during the Battle of Rosieres on the Somme in March 1918 when he is mentioned in the regimental history which stated: “Privates Fred Pickup and William Pickering repeatedly returned and picked up men who had fallen during the retirement.”

Frederick was captured by the Germans and wrote a postcard to his then fiancee Kathleen in August 1918 which read: “My dearest Kathie, you must excuse me for not letting you have a line before now but I suppose you will know through one of them at home where I am. I am still keeping myself in good health and also longing for the day to come when I will be with you again. Hoping you are keeping in good health. Yours always, Frederick.”

He was freed at the end of November 1918 and the couple married in April 1919. They lived first at Hollin Terrace in Marsh and then in Alder Street, Fartown.

Arnold started to run long distances when he was 53 and notched up 50 marathons, 112 half-marathons and other 5km and 10km races to make a total of 434. His final race was the York 10k last August and he has now retired from running.

Arnold, who served in the Merchant Navy from 1948-1953, raised well over £20,000 and ran for many charities, but mainly the military limbless veterans charity Blesma.

He has six grandchildren, many grandchildren and lives with Gillian Cunliffe, his partner for 35 years.

In 2010 he won the Services To Charity award at the Huddersfield Examiner Awards.