LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM--(MARKET WIRE)--Oct 7, 2008 -- FORGOTTEN WORDS written by a Canadian soldier during the First World War can be revealed for the first time today.

His poignant memories of the Prairies as he fought on the Western Front are uncovered 90 years after they were first written.

The words by Lisle Whiteside serving in the Canadian Corps are contained in the diary of a British war artist packed with illustrations.

The Canadian family of the soldier have been tracked down in Alberta by researchers on the diary published tomorrow - a month ahead of the 90th anniversary of the end of the Great War. They have spoken of their amazement at learning of the words discovered from beyond the grave.

His passage in the book entitled 'My Dreamlands' tells of Whiteside's fond memories of home as he endures the conditions of the battlefield.

He writes: 'As I sit and ponder over my memories of the old times, I may be found with my thoughts away in the far west land of Canada, and in a certain place where I was born and raised to love the free and wild life of unchanged nature. My home.

'It was here I played when a lad, until old enough to go to the nearest country school, and here I helped my father on his ranch, until I found it my duty to answer my country's call and join the khaki forces.

'I may be found on my favourite saddle horse I named after his great 'Lightning' speed. I am watching the cattle below me in the valley. The sun slowly sinks across the hills and prairie to the west, and as the evening breeze comes up the valley and waves the long wool on my chaps, it also brings the fresh smell of green grass and damp earth.'

In his dreamlands he continues: 'Every now and then I hear the low call of some mothering cows as they make sure of their calves for the night. And across the hills to the south I hear the shrill mournful sound, a prairie wolf calling his mate to go for a hunt across the big flat country to the east. A loon and a grebe send out their wavering call from a near by lake. Then just as I doze to sleep, I hear the old familiar family horn, calling me to supper and rest for the night. My pony jerks my leg to go. But alas! It was only a dream. Oh God may it soon come true.

The text is signed A.S. Whiteside, France 1916. It is pasted in the diary of war artist Len Smith who adds his own words alongside: 'A wonderful letter written by my friend a genuine Canadian cowboy.' The two got to know each other when they were both being treated at a hospital in Wimereux, northern France.

Len Smith sketched German positions on Vimy Ridge (a major battle victory for the Canadian Corps) from no man's land. These pictures were then used by senior commanders to decide battle strategy.

Whiteside's signature appears amongst a 'roll call of good chums in the diary which is entitled The Pictures and Diary of a Wartime Artist. It is available as an ebook to download from www.greatwarartist.com price Pounds Sterling 9.97.

Lisle Whiteside's son, George, is now 85 and still has his father's medals and badges. His wife, Marie, also in her 80's, said: "We knew it must be Lisle - the writing is exactly what he would have said."

NOTE TO EDITORS: This copy is free to use but please say at the bottom of the copy: The Pictures and Diary of a Wartime Artist is available for Pounds Sterling 9.97 from www.greatwarartist.com.

Marie is available for interview by emailing her at mwhiteside@shaw.ca.

Photographs are available for download for press from the website. For other requests you can also contact the publisher through the website or timbarlass@onetel.com.

     Contacts:
     Barlass ePublishing
     Tim Barlass
     +44208 977 7047 or Mobile +447713 066685
     Email: timbarlass@onetel.com