A BRAVE Winsford soldier who died on the front line in a fierce First World War battle features in a new book by a BBC Antiques Roadshow expert.

Private Thomas Preston was just 19-years-old when he was killed during an allied offensive in the infamous Battle of Passchendale.

A collection of Tom’s heartbreaking letters, sent back home to his sister from the trenches, now feature in World War One in 100 Family Treasures – by TV’s Paul Atterbury.

“The book has come out really well. It’s a great read about Tom and for the other stories as well. It’s something that we can pass down to our grandchildren and through the generations,” said Tom’s great nephew, Gary Noden.

Gary found Tom’s letters in a trunk full of paraphernalia among his late aunt Minnie’s possessions.

The correspondence, between Tom and his sister Beatrice Noden, include three old woodbine cigarettes, which were returned to sender upon Tom’s death.

In that last letter, which Tom never got to read, Beatrice writes: ‘Never mind, it might not be long before you come back. Love and the best of luck from your ever loving sister’.

Tom, of the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, was one of three brothers from the same Winsford family who fought in the Great War.

He was killed on the first day of a battle that formed the second phase of the Third Battle of Ypres, often referred to as the Battle of Passchendaele.

Gary said his discovery and the subsequent book had brought the family together in commemoration of their ancestral war hero.

“The grandchildren are very interested to find out about his story – who he was and what he did,” said Gary.

“We’re waiting until the hundredth anniversary of his death, then we are going to visit Perth China Wall cemetery near Ypres, where he is buried. We’re all very proud of him.”