Letters which were penned by an Abertillery soldier in the trenches have featured in a new book.

Freelance writer Jacqueline Wadsworth’s book, Letters from the Trenches, uses previously unpublished family letters and photographs to tell the human story of the First World War.

Among the stories told is that of Philip Luxton, from Abertillery, who said goodbye to his wife Hannah and two young daughters when he left for war in 1915.

The story begins with a description of his departure by his young daughter Evelyn.

“I remember his last night at home, a cold wet wintry night, in the middle room lit by a poor gas light. He was dressed in uniform. He did not want us to go to the station with him and kissed us all goodbye,” she said.

It continues with letters he sent home from the front showing how much he missed his children, and how much his wife had to cope with alone.

Jacqueline Wadsworth's new book uses previously unpublished family letters and photographs from WWI
Jacqueline Wadsworth's new book uses previously unpublished family letters and photographs from WWI

He wrote: “I expect you will soon be preparing for to take the children down to the sands and I hope you and the kiddies will enjoy yourselves and don’t forget to buy them a bucket and spade just as if I was with them.”

The story ends tragically when Hannah receives a stiff letter from the War Office informing her that her husband was missing. His body was never found.

At the end of the Great War, a big celebration was held in the Luxtons’ street but the family kept their curtains drawn and did not attend.

Jacqueline was inspired to write her new book by letters written by her own uncle, who lost his life at the Somme aged 19.

In Letters from the Trenches, Jacqueline explores how ordinary people coped with war. Using letters and diaries, the majority of which have never been published before, she follows servicemen and their families through the years of conflict, telling their stories in their own words.

Professor Peter Doyle, military historian and First World War author, said: “Jacqueline Wadsworth brings us a fresh perspective on what it was like to be there, day-to-day, on the home front and at the battlefront – and in so doing, brings us closer to the men and women who endured these four terrible years.”

Letters from the Trenches, published by Pen and Sword Books Ltd, is on sale for £19.99.

For more information visit www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/