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The Digger's Diary: A soldier's diary. A decades-long search. A life brought back from history.
Not yet published
Expected 27 Oct 26A forgotten soldier. A bullet-pierced diary. A 22-year quest to uncover the truth.
When museum curator Colin Reid is handed a bullet-pierced diary for a Great War exhibition, it sets him on a 22-year search to uncover the fate of its owner, Corporal Claude Nuttall MM.
Written in the trenches of France, the diary offers a rare and deeply personal glimpse into the life of an ordinary Australian soldier — his endurance, his faith, and the quiet courage required to survive the horrors of war. Yet this small, fragile book raises as many questions as it answers. Who was Nuttall? What became of him? And how did his diary survive when so many did not?
Determined to find out, the curator follows a trail that stretches from the industrial heartlands of England to the battlefields of Europe and on to Australia. Piece by piece, he reconstructs a life long lost to history, uncovering a powerful story of love, resilience, and extraordinary bravery — and forging an unexpected connection between families separated by a century.
The Digger’s Diary is more than a military history. It is a testament to the enduring power of memory, and to the humble objects that carry our stories through time, waiting for someone to listen
‘A truly powerful manuscript. Crafted by a gifted, investigative researcher and wordsmith.’ — AJC Publishing Beta Reviewer, Melbourne
‘I loved this. Warm, personal, and deeply engaging — a story that resonates across generations.’ — AJC Publishing Beta Reviewer, Melbourne
‘An innovative and compelling take on the war narrative, offering a fresh and absorbing perspective on the ‘war hero’ story.’ — Rowandale Books Beta Reviewer, Cardiff
When museum curator Colin Reid is handed a bullet-pierced diary for a Great War exhibition, it sets him on a 22-year search to uncover the fate of its owner, Corporal Claude Nuttall MM.
Written in the trenches of France, the diary offers a rare and deeply personal glimpse into the life of an ordinary Australian soldier — his endurance, his faith, and the quiet courage required to survive the horrors of war. Yet this small, fragile book raises as many questions as it answers. Who was Nuttall? What became of him? And how did his diary survive when so many did not?
Determined to find out, the curator follows a trail that stretches from the industrial heartlands of England to the battlefields of Europe and on to Australia. Piece by piece, he reconstructs a life long lost to history, uncovering a powerful story of love, resilience, and extraordinary bravery — and forging an unexpected connection between families separated by a century.
The Digger’s Diary is more than a military history. It is a testament to the enduring power of memory, and to the humble objects that carry our stories through time, waiting for someone to listen
‘A truly powerful manuscript. Crafted by a gifted, investigative researcher and wordsmith.’ — AJC Publishing Beta Reviewer, Melbourne
‘I loved this. Warm, personal, and deeply engaging — a story that resonates across generations.’ — AJC Publishing Beta Reviewer, Melbourne
‘An innovative and compelling take on the war narrative, offering a fresh and absorbing perspective on the ‘war hero’ story.’ — Rowandale Books Beta Reviewer, Cardiff
- GenresHistoricalNonfiction
428 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 27, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 16, 2026
I did not know what to expect from this book. I discovered a true story with plenty of plot twists and wonderful serendipity. It really was the quest of a lifetime.
It shows how somethings can be lost then found to be of priceless value. Service, courage, faith and sacrifice have long lives. As someone from Kilsyth, and from miner stock, it is interesting to read WW1 history from the little people's experience. I look forward with hope for this story.
It shows how somethings can be lost then found to be of priceless value. Service, courage, faith and sacrifice have long lives. As someone from Kilsyth, and from miner stock, it is interesting to read WW1 history from the little people's experience. I look forward with hope for this story.
October 17, 2026
This is a beautiful, well written, tragic story of discovery. One cannot help being captivated by the life of a young Australian soldier as it unfolds from an unexpected find on a council rubbish tip. I deny anyone to read this story without eyes clouded by tears. “…it is our stories that bind us. They are the manifestation of what it is to be human, bringing meaning into an otherwise disordered and dispassionate world.”
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews