Historians are appealing for information on a First World War soldier from Fulham who signed a visitor's book 100 years ago.

Private Walter Pack was one of hundreds of servicemen who penned messages in two visitor books between 1916 and 1917 as they stopped off at Peterborough East Railway Station tea room on their way to and from war.

The books were buried away and forgotten about until they were discovered in the city’s archives in Peterborough Library. A project then began to find out more about the lives of the servicemen whose fleeting thoughts are preserved in the two slim volumes dating to The Great War.

Very little is known about the Fulham soldier other than information gained from his war record. He was born in 1887 in Bermondsey, enlisted into the army in 1914 and joined the Seaforth Highlanders.

He was wounded twice, once in a house bombing, but survived the war. He was honourably discharged in 1919 and lived in Hurlingham Road.

Researchers are trying to trace anyone who might have information about Walter Pack. Information on him and others that signed the book will be published on May 5, 100 years to the day that the books started, in real time on a website, via social media and on video screens at relevant sites in Peterborough city centre.

The website has launched early on Wednesday (January 13) to give descendants the opportunity to share information and photographs of their relatives to add to their story.

A spokesperson for the project said: “As a tribute to each individual, Peterborough Archives wants to provide as much information about them as they can, so that each message and the story of the serviceman who wrote it can be shared, on the anniversary of the day that he passed through the city.”

Those wishing to find out if their ancestor wrote in the books will find a list of their names and service details on the website at www.peterboroughww1.co.uk

The men came from each of the services – including the Royal Navy and the Army, which at that time included the Royal Flying Corps - and from many regiments and corps. The Royal Marines, Merchant Navy and police are also represented.