THE story of how a Welsh captain and an Irish priest tried to help the Italian village of Civitella after 244 citizens were massacred during the Second World War has been captured in a new book by Calne author Dee La Vardera.

The book, which took three years to write and research, starts with the unveiling of a plaque in the city in May 2001, which commemorates the work of the Captain John Morgan and Father Clement O'Shea, who was a chaplain to the forces and traces their lives and their compassion for the village, which they were determined to support over a five-month period from June 1944.

The writer said: "It all started when Keith Morgan, a friend from Chippenham, told me about his father's experiences in Italy during the Second World War. He told me why a street had been named Costa Capitano John Percival Morgan in the hilltop village of Civitella in Val di Chiana in Tuscany. As a lover of Italy, and with a keen interest in military history, the subject and setting were a perfect combination for me.

"I hope that my book has thrown some light on these modest men and unsung heroes of the Second World War and the contributions they made after the war in their home communities."

Mrs La Vardera will also be signing and talking about her books, which include the Circolo Italiano at the Easton Royal Village Hall on November 23 at 7pm and Devizes Books on November 26 from 10am-midday.