A FASCINATING insight into the life of a Tilehurst rifleman in the Great War comes under the spotlight in a new book.

Robin Gregory, 82, used the diaries of his father-in-law Timothy Elliott to pen Tim’s Wars – a book covering Timothy’s inspiring life from 1911 to the mid-1960s.

It explores his four years in the trenches – including when he charged on the first day of the Battle Of The Somme, when around 20,000 troops were killed – as well as his life back home at No.10 Beechwood Avenue, Tilehurst, which he shared with his wife Alma.

Robin, who is married to Timothy’s youngest daughter, Ann, said: “Tim’s survival during four years of horrifying trench warfare had been remarkable.

“Many ex-soldiers have written memories, but none have left an unbroken journal covering more than four years.

“Even when he was injured in the face and one eye, Tim managed to describe his move to a Casualty Clearing Station and the astonishingly good treatment he received.”

The collection of small ink diaries came to light when Alma died in 1988 and Robin, a psychologist by training, decided to begin researching the context of the journals.

Former Reading School pupil, Robin, added: “The diaries revealed not only a life of heroism in the most terrible war of all, but his work as a mental nurse, in which capacity he was later to reside in Eton College and Kensington Palace, always retaining his home in Tilehurst.”

Tim’s Wars costs £14.95 from Loaghtan Books, available at www.loaghtanbooks.com and anyone interested in finding out more can email Robin on 3burlington@post.com