This "Official Copy" of the bible is one of an edition seemingly printed in or shortly before 1914, and there's evidence to show this edition was given out as part of the supplies to soldiers who joined the army around the start of the first world war, but other copies show earlier ownership from the first decade of the 20th century.

Many have survived with the names of different soldiers inside, and this copy is no different. It was part of the kit given to Pte Lawrence Frederick McKeever from Birmingham. He had signed up to join the army as a drummer in 1905 at the age of 17. By 1914 he was a seasoned soldier taking part in annual training when WW1 started. His battalion (2nd Battalion The Royal Scots) was sent to Plymouth to be kitted up, possibly where McKeever got this bible, and he arrived in France on 14th August 1914.

For the next week they trained so that new recruits could get used to working alongside soldiers with more experience, like McKeever, and finally marched into Belgium on 21st August. On 22nd they arrived near Mons and on 23rd they were ordered to advance on the enemy position - the first major engagement of British troops had begun. By late on the 23rd August, despite having caused a number of casualties among the Germans, the British began a huge retreat.

The next morning at roll call, surprisingly, there were only two wounded and four missing. Unfortunately, McKeever was one of the missing. Him and presumably this bible (since no other soldier names or regimental stamps are present) had fallen into the hands of the enemy. At some point in the battle McKeever had been wounded in the foot and would spend the rest of the war in a PoW camp in Gustow in Germany.

He was released at the end of the war in 1918 and returned to England. His wife had been pregnant when he was captured, and his first child was born late on 1914 - he would not see her until she was 4 years old.

And 110 years later this little bible appeared on eBay - and this story could be told!