A TAUNTON schoolboy who wrote about his great-great-grandfather fighting in the First World War has won a special Peace Rose.

Aiden Wyatt, eight, told how Sidney Arthur Axe was badly injured in the trenches, as part of a project at North Town primary School.

Bosses at Monkton Elm Garden and Pet Centre were so moved by the account they presented Aiden with a special Peace Rose awarded to local people as part of its giveaway to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the war.

Aiden’s mum, Heidi, said she decided to enter his project after he researched his great-great-grandfather’s story.

“We thought this would be lovely for Aiden to have as a memento – while looking after the rose he will always remember what Sidney went through for us.”

Sidney Arthur Axe was born in 1892 in East Chinnock, near Yeovil. At the age of 22 he fought in the First World War as part of the Field Gun Crew.

Aiden, one of Sidney’s nine great-great-grandchildren, said: “I have learnt so much about Sidney.

“As part of the project I had to put myself into Sidney’s shoes and wrote letters home and diary entries as if they were written by him.”

Andrew Pitman, store manager at the garden centre, said: “Aiden’s application for one of our Peace Roses was one of the most interesting we came across.

“He really put a lot of research into the project and it was great to read all about his great-great-grandfather.”

Sidney died of heart failure in 1968 aged 76. His name can be found on the roll of honour, still on display in East Chinnock Church.