 When the First World War began in 1914 , both of Gardiner 's brothers enlisted in the military and were sent overseas . Gardiner 's father John also enlisted , but he died May 30 , 1916 before he was sent overseas . Both his brothers returned home after the war ended ; while Alex was unharmed , John had been involved in a poison gas attack , and was seriously ill . To help provide for the family Gardiner began working for the J.H. Ashdown Hardware Company at the age of twelve . In December 1928 John began to develop an illness as a result of his poison gas attack in the war , and died December 13 . Edith had planned to get married on December 31 , but wanted to delay the marriage because of John 's death , though her family convinced her to continue with the original plan . 
