With the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I fast approaching, many are attempting to trace the history of those who fought between 1914-18.

Author Martin Mawhinney is one such person, and his book Stevenage and the Brave New Zealanders sheds light on troops from New Zealand who were based in Stevenage during the Great War.

The town was home to troops from both Australia and New Zealand before they were sent to fight in France and Belgium.

Among them were the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) who were stationed in fields behind what is now The White Lion pub in Stevenage High Street.

“I came across this story while researching another project, but all official histories only stated that colonial troops were stationed in the town,” said Mr Mawhinney, who has taken about four years to research and write the book.

“None mention the Royal Engineer camp on North Road, or the New Zealand Reserve Signal Depot. The book tells the story of both camps.

“It is a chance to read an untold part of the town’s past, or perhaps just to see some very rare unpublished views of Stevenage from 1918.”

About the finished article, he added: “There is always more to find out, and there are lots of photographs we know were taken at the time but we have not yet been able to find.”

Stevenage and the Brave New Zealanders, priced at £16, will be available to buy from April 26 by visiting Stevenage Museum in St George’s Way or calling the museum on 01438 218881.

Alternatively, the book will be available from Stevenage historian Hugh Madgin at 2 Baker Street, Stevenage, or by calling him on 01438 748743.