PRIVATE Clarence Blanton of Penshurst enlisted at 19 and served on the Western Front as a stretcher bearer with the Eighth Field Ambulance attached to the AIF Fifth Division.
He was medically discharged after suffering in a mustard gas attack and returned to Australia in November, 1917.
Before he died as a result of the gassing in 1920 at 24, he wrote a detailed record of his war service including descriptions of battles, photographs, postcards and newspaper clippings from the time.
He was buried at Woronora, but the diary was lost for decades.
It only recently came to light after St George amateur historian Charles Davis was researching the history of pre-World War I militia.
Kogarah RSL Sub-branch treasurer Brian Potter contacted him saying that he had found Private Blanton's diary in the club's archives.
Mr Davis then put a notice in the Sydney Morning Herald asking for any descendants of Private Blanton to contact him.
The notice was seen by Ross Blanton, 69, of Heathcote who was unaware of the existence of his forebear's war diary.
"Clarence Blanton was my grandfather's brother's son," he said.
"He would be my father's first cousin. This would make him my second cousin.
"My father had done a bit of family history but we had no idea that this diary existed.
"When I first saw the diary it was jaw-dropping; I was expecting no more than a notebook, but it was massive, full of information and so intense.
"My father died 10 years ago and he would have loved this [find]."
He said that Private Blanton's mischievous character comes out in a number of stories in the diary.
"He and his fellow soldiers were given a barrel of beer but they dropped it and broke it," Mr Blanton said.
"After that, whenever they walked past that spot they bowed their heads in respect.
"And there are serious stories. At Bullecourt in 1917 there were 250 men his battalion, and after one battle only 95 answered the roll-call."
One incident stands out which shows Private Blanton's character.
"They were were on a raid and an officer was shot and left in no-man's land," Mr Davis said.
"Clarence took himself and two others over the top of the trenches and found the officer 15 yards from the German lines and were able to bring him back safely.
"Private Blanton received a commendation from Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haigh to His Majesty George V in recognition of conspicuous service.
"The commendation is contained in the diary. Underneath his official commendation, he has written, 'Private Blanton was never more scared in all his life.' "
RESEARCH PROJECT
Charles Davis is conducting research for Rockdale Library’s 2015 World War I and Anzac Centenary Project.
If any reader has items connected with World War I (material such as relatives’ letters or photos or general memorabilia) and they would like the library to consider including these in the project, they can contact Charles on 0416173306 or email him at chaz7159@hotmail.com