THE great-nephew of precocious Kendal born artist and carver James Henry Cookson has published a book revealing intriguing sketches his great-uncle did while fighting in the Great War.

Will Garnett, a former Queen Katherine School teacher, has spent many years uncovering research into his ancestor’s life.

James Cookson, also known as Jim, was one of 83 recruits from Kendal, Staveley and Burneside who joined up in 1915 to serve with the Border Regiment’s 2/4th Battalion along the North West Frontier-the present-day border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Armed with two small notebooks, pencils and his water colours during his four years in war Mr Cookson drew evocative sketches of the scenes and landscapes he encountered.

Preserved by his family for many years Mr Garnett, who lives in Grange-over-Sands, wanted to publish a book filled with some of his great uncle’s sketches so people could get an insight into the artist’s life during times of conflict.

Mr Cookson was also a skilled wood carver, earning his living with Simpsons of Kendal.

“Because of my family history I feel I have a very strong connection with Kendal,” he said. “I’ve always loved the area and want to help preserve some of the town’s history, this is something I’ve been wanting to do for quite a while.”

The book, titled Kendal’s Cooksons, Carving, Caravaggio and Conflict also provides a glimpse into the life of successful antique dealer and possibly the most famous of the Cookson family, Joseph Cookson.

In the small publication there is part of an interview Mr Cookson had with his late nephew, Robert Rutter, where he described his rise from being the son of a confectioner to a respected antique dealer.

Kendal’s Cooksons is currently on sale from Lindale Post Office and copies can also be bought from The Westmorland Gazette reception.

Costing just three pounds all proceeds raised will go towards Sunbeams Music Trust, an organisation which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people with special needs through the creative power of music.

It was a place where Mr Garnett’s youngest daughter Siobhan, who suffered from Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), would often visit and work before she died at the age of 29 in 2015.

Mr Garnett also wrote a book in 2001 called What colour’s your Hoover?- a heart-warming story about how his family coped with his late-wife’s Multiple sclerosis and Siobhan’s PWS and all proceeds went to Sunbeams.