EXACTLY 100 years to the day since he put pen to paper, a First World War hero's diary entry describing the Battle of Passchendaele on August 14, 1917, has been published.

More than 800,000 soldiers on both sides died in the battle between July 31 and November 10, with many who survived it left haunted by what they had witnessed.

Three of the local soldiers who survived the slaughter were Millom brothers John, Charles and Fred Stephens - whose diary is in the possession of Fred's grandson Keith Gregson.

Mr Gregson said: "A hundred years ago today my granddad Fred 'Pop' Stephens was crawling round a battlefield a mile or so outside the village of Passchendaele.

"Fred was a Millom lad who loved his football and cricket and worked in the post office in Barrow where he met my grandmother Grace Pottinger. He kept a diary while a royal engineer and signaller during the war.

"He did come out alive and lived into my lifetime."

Fred joined the Royal Engineers and was sent to the Dardanelles to fight Turkish forces in 1915.

His first action came when troops were landed from a barge at Gallipoli on July 27.

After the war Fred married Grace and they had a daughter who went on to marry Rex Gregson - Keith's father. Rex lived in Barrow and later moved to Carlisle where he worked as a presenter on BBC Radio Cumbria.

FRED STEPHENS' DIARY ENTRY: AUGUST 14, 1917

"Wandered to battalion headquarters through treacherous country and muddy - it was wicked - on one occasion had to take cover behind a tank which had been put out of action - it was wicked having to carry full round of ammunition, rifles and w/t set.

"Fixed out a set in one of Jerry's concrete dugouts. About 3am I went out and laid out four lines - one of which I had to crawl almost within a few yards of the enemy's line.

"About 4am heavy firing and artillery commenced and no signals could be heard.

"Went out again under heavy firing and repaired all the lines and it was useless trying to repair them a third time - smashed to atoms.

"Captain Redmond was brought in wounded and had orders to pack up as the enemy was advancing and would soon be on us.

"My officer was the first to go and we toddled on with all our pack and w/t set. Shells dropping all round us.

"My pal was just behind us until a certain point but when headquarters was reached, he was missing.

"After a rest, I volunteered to go back and search for him but the o/c said it was too risky - apparently he was killed by a stray bullet or shrapnel.

"My name was taken by the o/c and later we were told that the l/c got a military medal. It was a proper death trap and lucky to come out alive."

*The Mail has left Fred's diary extract in its original format.

ACRONYMS USED

W/t = wireless telephone (radio)

L/c = Lance Corporal

O/c = Officer Commanding