A First World War trench artist’s son was "overwhelmed" to receive a book bringing together research into his father’s life.

Back in May a couple from Ewell presented Ronald Turtle with a piece of trench art created from the case of a shell by his dad Corporal Ernest Turtle.

The guardhouse sat on the Elliott family mantelpiece for decades and they managed to find Mr Turtle, in his 80s, thanks to Epsom and Ewell Local and Family History Centre.

The trench art now sits on his fireplace.

On Friday, August 22, Ann and Bob Elliott travelled to Mr Turtle's home in Southampton to hand over the family history research done by volunteer Glenda Charman from the history centre.

Mrs Elliott said: "He was totally overwhelmed, he hardly took his eyes off it in the two hours we spent with them.

"It was a nice end to our long mission to track down the family."Your Local Guardian:

The trench art was bought by Mr Elliott’s father Robert and, when he died a decade ago, the couple found a piece of paper inside.

It said: "This souvenir was made by Corporal E. L. Turtle... with crude tools while on active service in France; in his leisure time; from a shell case which held a German shell 18in naval shell used in a bombardment of Aire in July 1918."

Mrs Elliott said they resolved to find his family, adding: "You could not ignore that. It had to be traced."

Your Local Guardian:

Dedicate a tree for £20 to someone lived or served in the First World War.

Call 0800 915 1914 or go to www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/mylocalpaper