A FALLEN war hero's Bible has been reunited with his family after a 35-year search.

The book belonged to George Ford, who served in the Sherwood Foresters in France in the First World War.

Allan Greensitt

The lost Bible ended up with Allan Greensitt, 44, after his father recovered it during renovation work on Mr Ford's former home in 1977.

Mr Greensitt kept it and successfully reunited it with Mr Ford's family yesterday, following years of searching.

Mr Ford was killed in battle at the age of 20 on the Somme in 1918.

The Bible has an inscription inside it with his and his father's names on it.

Mr Greensitt said: "I discovered through internet searches that Mr Ford died at the Somme in January 1918. He didn't make it home.

"This really saddened me because his Bible did. I always hoped he came home and lived to an old age, had a wife and lots of children.

"When I found this out, it intensified my need to find family and relatives."

The breakthrough came after he scoured the 2011 census for names.

Mr Greensitt eventually made contact with Mr Ford's nephews, George Haynes, 83, and Larry Haynes, 76, who lives in Arnold.

A meeting took place yesterday when the 95- year-old Bible was given to the family.

George, said: "You can't put into words how proud it makes you feel. Shivers went down my spine when the Bible was handed to me. It's been in my hand all day.

"It is remarkable for the Bible to turn up, and when it was put into my hand I didn't know what to say. I was speechless. It was out of the blue.

"I can't quite believe this was with him while he was in combat.

"I'm going to pass this family heirloom on to my kids and keep it in the family. It's a great piece of history.

"Also, it's incredible how much research Allan has done and the effort he has put in to find us. We are so thankful."

Mr Greensitt had been offered "significant sums" of money for the book but refused to part with it, as he believed it belonged with the soldier's family.

He said: "I was nine years old when I received the Bible, so it was one of my oldest possessions. I was offered £1,000 for it ten years ago but refused point-blank.

"It was an emotional experience handing the Bible over but I now have a feeling of relief and closure."

George's name is on the war memorial in Arnold. He is buried at Fins British Cemetery, in the district of Sorel Le Grand, in the Somme region.

Mr Greensitt is now writing a book about his efforts to bring the Bible home to Mr Ford's family.

Source: thisisnottingham.co.uk