A proud grandson has commemorated his grandfather’s service in the First World War with a giant tattoo – featuring an extract from his trench diaries.
Lee Holloway, 54, has always looked up to his grandfather Frank Everett, who fought in France for the British Army during the Great War.
The soldier kept detailed diaries of his hopes, fears and daily routines – as well as moving passages about the deaths of his two serving brothers.
Lee, who inherited the battered notebooks, had an extract tattooed down his right arm and the artwork was completed last week – just in time for Armistice Day.
Proud Lee, from Wickwar, South Gloucestershire, said: “My grandfather died when I was a teenager in the 70s.
“I remember him being quite a tough man, he didn’t stand for any messing.
“But he was incredibly proud of his family and especially his grandsons.
“For a long time I have thought about how to commemorate him, and I thought this was the right thing to do now as it coincides with the 100 year anniversary of the conflict.
“Parts of his diary are tragic and very emotional to read.”
“I didn’t want anything gory in the tattoo, so I lent the diary to Ben Boston the tattoo artist and he picked out a very nice passage.”
The diary was given to Lee by his mother and one tragic extract reveals how Frank’s two brothers were killed while travelling on the same ship to their next deployment.
Lee went under the needle at The Tattoo Studio in Bristol for a total of 12 hours, beginning this summer and finishing last week.
The artwork – which cost more than £100 – reaches from his elbow to his shoulder on his right arm, and also features poppies and horses.
Tattoo artist Ben Boston said: “It was a privilege to be given the opportunity to read the diary, and I am very proud of the tattoo.”
