A FORMER Wee County history teacher has offered a detailed insight into life in Alloa during The Great War.

Andrew Hunt has released his maiden book, called In the Forefront, Alloa at War 1914 – 1919, in which is thought to be the first of its kind in Scotland.

And with last Sunday marking 100 years since the end of the conflict, he was naturally keen for the book to make it out on time.

Describing the book, Andrew said: “This book breaks down the issues relating to the Great War and its impact on the town of Alloa by presenting to the reader sections on themes such as education, religion, sport, the important local families, the political changes, effects on women, industry, the local heroes, the aftermath and memorialisation etc.

"All these themes are carefully sewn together to show how the experience of one town can provide a glimpse into the bigger picture of the role of Scotland’s people in the war, not forgetting how individuals played their part in the local, regional, national and international stage of the battlefields of France, Flanders and across Empires.”

Andrew was the principal teacher of history at Alloa Academy for 32 years before retiring in 2010, and it was during those three decades that he and a colleague, David Henderson, immersed themselves in the history of the Great War.

He continued: “When I retired, I set about writing a book from all of my findings I got over the years.

"We [he and David] built up quite a collection of stuff over the years. I always thought we could get a book out of it.”

The former teacher, who lives in Falkirk, found out through his publisher that it is the first time a book about has been written about the effects of WWI on a specific Scottish town.

He continued: “My publisher, Reveille Press, told me that nobody has done a book like mine with an in-depth look at the effect of the war. He said I had the market to myself, really.”

If Andrew has one tinge of regret, it is that David never got the chance to see the finished product due to his untimely passing.

For this reason, and the fact that they worked together for 25 years, Andrew dedicated the book to him.

He said: "We went on eight trips to the Western Front together. It is a shame he never saw the book in his hand. But he gave me a lot of support throughout the whole process.”

The book is now available on Amazon with talks underway to have copies sold in locations in Alloa and Stirling.