A remarkable memoir of life in the trenches during World War One has been published thanks to the endeavours of Port Erin resident Gaye Magnall.

The book, Other Ranks by William Tilsley, was first published in 1931, but did not attain the status of classic it deserved.

The book draws on the diary kept by Private Tilsley while he fought at the Battles of the Somme and Ypres from 1916 to 1917, when injury brought him back to Blighty.

Gaye’s journey began in February 2016. She explained: ’My husband John’s father died and I was going through and sorting old family photographs when I came across a letter sent to John’s uncle Ernest Magnall, dated December 1931.

’This was from the book’s author, Bill Tilsley (who is called ’Bradshaw’ in Other Ranks). The tone of the letter is very warm, and talks of William Tilsley being pleased that the book has elicited a response from Ernest.

’As well as referring to how they have both fared post-war, the letter acknowledges that Ernest is Bagnall (in the book), and that proper names could not be used in the book ’without running the risk of hurting certain people’.

’The wish of the author was ’to be truthful without being spiteful’.

Gaye had read Other Ranks 30 years prior, but given the rise of the internet was able to research information on the characters and events mentioned in the book, who, though given pseudonyms were easily identifiable. She decided to try and trace Tilsley’s son or descendants.

’At the same time I did an internet search for Other Ranks/Tilsley and found entries on the "Neglected Book" and "Modern Novel" sites along with blogs from WWI enthusiasts who wanted to see it back in print. Sadly William Tilsley and his son had both died long ago and the publisher Cobden-Sanderson had finished by WWII. Tilsley had died over 70 years ago which meant there were no copyright restrictions.’

She added: ’Finding Tilsley and Charles O’Neill (Driver in the book) relatives took a couple of months and they agreed to write a piece each. I started to look for other characters - I’m still finding more. I’m on the trail of "Legs eleven" at the moment, when leaving a cross at his grave in France I found an entry in the cemetery records from his great nephew from Preston.’

The book’s republication missed last year’s centenary commemoration of the end of the conflict.

Gaye’s initial plan was to reproduce the book plus information on the three main characters. In 2016 she shortlisted three possible military publishers but was told she needed to have Ernest’s book produced as a word document. A typist produced a version which then took ’forever’ to proof.

’The upside was that because I read Other Ranks so many times I became more curious about the characters and also realised the book would benefit from a glossary.

’I also felt it was important for the new book to have the relatives’ additions.’ She didn’t receive them all until June 2018.

In fact, she nearly gave up in frustration. But she made contact with Unicorn Publishing and entered into a publishing partnership with them.

She said: ’So despite missing the 100 year anniversary the delay has led to so much more information being discovered and ironically puts me in the same boat as Tilsley was in 1931.

’After All Quiet on the Western Front was published in 1929 there was a rush of books written. Tilsley procrastinated and therefore missed an opportunity. And it goes without saying I missed the 100 year anniversary!’

After years of work, printed replicating the original front cover, she said: ’I am very pleased with the authentic look and particularly grateful to my editor Emily Lane for guiding me through the process. She has an interest in the period and having been well acquainted with Siegfried Sassoon as a girl put her heart and soul into it.’

’I wanted WVT to be heard and also give a voice to the "old ghosts of drab history" spoken of in Tilsley’s letter.’

â?¢ Other Ranks costs £14.99.