The heroic tales of a Dunmow soldier who fought in the First World War have been turned into a book.

The memoirs of Alfred Bernard Walsh, who was born in a cottage in the town, in 1893, have been published by the Historical Society – 34 years after his death and 100 years since the outbreak of the Great War.

His granddaughter, Linda Lucas, passed them to Steve and Pat Schorah after she saw the pictures of soldiers in the Dunmow Broadcast.

Steve, society vice-chairman, said: “It was probably a month or so after the Broadcast started publishing the photographs of the First World War soldiers when Linda got in touch. She asked if we would be interested and obviously we jumped at the chance.

“This book helps us remember why the soldiers gave their lives and it is a real insight into what life was like.”

The book is filled with stories from the war, as well as his marriage to Gertie and his life in Uttlesford after war ended.

There are plenty of Dunmow connections in the book, including when Alfred met the Rev Noel Mellish, while at the front. Unknown to Alfred at the time, Mr Mellish would become Vicar of Dunmow and receive a Victoria Cross.

The book can be bought at the Dunmow Museum for £3.50 – 50p of each copy sold will be donated to the Royal British Legion.