The diaries of two brothers conscripted to the WWII Home Guard have been published following their unlikely unearthing.

In 2016 Cambridgeshire based children's author Catherine Rosevear bought a manuscript diary from 1944 on an online auction site.

It turned out to have been written by a member of the Loughton Home Guard, but the diarist had forgotten to put his name on the volume.

Mrs Rosevear got in touch with Chris Pond of the Loughton and District Historical Society, who identified the diarist as Henry Norman of 23 The Crescent.

Establishing contact with the family brought to light another diary, written in 1945 by Henry's brother Richard, then living at 22 Station Road.

The Historical Society has published both accounts of life in Loughton during the Little Blitz and the V1 and V2 attacks through to peace at VJ Day, and the defeat of Churchill in the General Election.

Despite regular bombings and wartime shortages, life continued in the town.

In April 1944 the new hall at the Methodist church was destroyed and the Bedden family, who lived behind it, were all killed.

At the time Henry wrote "...What with bombs, tracer bullets, incendiaries, high explosives...it was a terrible time."

The 90-page illustrated book can bought for £6.50 from the Book Shop, 150 High Rd, or direct from the LDHS (0208-508 2361)