WHO KNEW that at an unassuming Keighley newsagent had many years previously fought at one of modern history’s greatest battles?

But early every morning as William Moore prepared the papers he could be forgiven for recalling a more frightening dawn on the killing fields of France.

Private Moore was one of the many thousands of soldiers who took part in the Battle of the Somme during the bloody summer and autumn of 1916.

He had enlisted in the army previous year – joining the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders – and it’s likely he was posted to France in spring 1916.

He survived the Somme and the following year received wounds to the hand and mouth at the Battle of Arras.

By April 1917 William was in hospital in Cambridge, and he was discharged from the army that November.

Two years later the 30-year-old former machine fitter and confectioner married 21-year-old Lilian Watmough and the pair lived in Stockbridge.

Soon afterwards William took over the newsagent’s shop at the top of Low Street – which is still open – and ran it for many years until his retirement.

William died in 1980 at the age of 91, and the newsagents’ shop is still open.