Douglas Newdick with the dvd, 'Britain at War'.

The recollections of local World War II veteran, Douglas Newdick, have been recorded for posterity in a new four-disk dvd set entitled 'Britain at War'.

Douglas, who lives in Caterham- on-the-Hill, was approached by Aaron Hutchinson of 'Simply Media', who produced the dvds. Aaron was put in touch with Douglas after contacting the Italy Star Association for soldiers who fought in Italy. Although Douglas was at the fight for Monte Cassino in 1944, it was his experiences in El Alamein in North Africa in 1942 that Aaron wanted Douglas to talk about in front of the camera.

Douglas age 26, taken in 1942 in Alexandria.

"I arrived in El Alamein on 31st July 1942," recalled Douglas. "I was part of the 44th Home Counties Division of the Eigth Army. We got so badly smashed up that three months after arriving in the desert our division was split up."

The set of dvds tells the story of World War II in chapters including 'El Britain', 'The Blitz' and 'Arnhem'. The stories are told through first-hand accounts from veterans and civilians along with fascinating archive film and graphics.

Douglas's recollections and those of others who fought in the war, paint a fascinating picture of what life must have been like for the young soldiers in the face of such adversity.

"We were known as 'Monty's bodyguards but we were completely untrained for desert warfare," explained Douglas. "I was one of the lucky ones - I think I must have had a guardian angel."

You can order a copy of 'Britain at War, Collectors Edition' by calling the orderline, 0844 8482000; price £26.99; Catalogue no. 132326.