The Digger’s Diary (the book)
A soldier’s story: a curator’s quest
Of all the extraordinary objects I have encountered during a long career, one stands out above all the others. Not an exquisite work of art, a wonder of the natural world, or a priceless archaeological relic. But a small battered soldier’s diary, discovered – of all places – on a rubbish tip, and offered to me for an exhibition at Dudley Museum in 1996.
That little diary would change my life, setting me on a decades-long quest to piece together the fate of the young man who wrote it, and to write a book about my journey.
The Digger’s Diary is a tribute to the man I discovered: Corporal Claude Nuttall. A forgotten hero; a man of quiet fortitude and extraordinary courage. It is a testament to the fact that the most profound stories are found in the everyday items of those who came before us—if we only take the time to look.
The book awaits publication in 2026. Please subscribe to receive details when they become available. You can read the illustrated story behind the book here.