OUR Looking Back specials on seafarers and soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War have provoked a strong response from readers.

But this tale of a man who fought against the odds when pushed to the limit, was held captive and finally made his way home, is one of the most moving to be shared by a Looking Back reader.

Alan Burt’s grandfather Edward ‘Ted’ Burt showed the kind of courage and perseverance that made him a survivor of the Kut-el-Amara siege.

He joined the Dorset Regiment along with his older brother Frederick and was attached to the 2nd Battalion.

The battalion was halfway through a tour of foreign service at Poona, India, with the outbreak of the Great War.

At two days’ notice they were directed to eastern Africa to help confront the threat from Turkey, their main aim being to protect the British interest in the Persian Gulf, Mesopotamia, now Iraq, and the Suez Canal.

Alan, of Weymouth, said: “The 2nd Battalion was soon to join many other allied servicemen to form the 6th division under the command of General Townsend.

“The 6th division engaged their enemy and such was their power they pushed forward driving the Turks back.

“After several months of relative success the heat, illness, casualties and a slower supply of ammunition, medical supplies, food and water took its effect.

“As the tide of battle turned, General Townsend made a tactical withdrawal.”

Ted Burt, his brother Frederick and the rest of the 6th division then retreated into the town of Kut El Amara.

Alan said: “Without supplies, the men realised they would struggle to survive because they were in a siege situation.

“Troops were reduced to cooking young grasses and weeds and several cases of poisoning were reported.

“They had to eat horse meat, catch birds, and trying to fish from the river.

“By the end of April 1916 there was no food left, and the sick rate increased, with many cases of scurvy, frostbite, diarrhoea and digestive complaints.”

On April 28, 1916, after 147 days, General Townsend had no choice but to surrender, with the 2nd Dorsets reduced to 12 officers and 400 men.

Around 1,500 men who had been hospitalised were released in exchanged for Turkish prisoners of war and 1,200 men of the regiment escaped captivity.

Alan said: “The Turks were reluctant to release British soldiers and those released were predominantly from other countries.

“It was determined they should be moved to the prisoner of war camps in Turkey.

“Already in poor health, under a burning sun, and with scant rations, the officers and the recently reduced group of 350 men of the 2nd Dorsets made up the long ‘snaking’ march.”

As they marched, Ted made notes on how far they marched – 515 miles in total.

“The treatment meted out to the prisoners was described as callous in the extreme. If a prisoner could not keep up he was beaten, if not killed outright.

“They were robbed of their clothes and many had to march with rags wrapped around their feet,” Alan said.

Of the 350 Dorsets who started out, 140 answered their names at the muster-roll call Bagtsche Station, where they arrived at the end of June.

Ted survived, but Fred died. He collapsed at the side of the road.

Alan said: “Ted went back for him but was bayoneted away and that was the last he saw of his brother.

“He lies in the war cemetery in Baghdad having died aged 26 on September 6, 1916.”

Ted was held in Constantinople where he was a prisoner of war until January 1, 1919.

He was one of 70 men who made their way back.

Alan said: “Such was his poor appearance that as he walked down Ranelagh Road in Weymouth his father made as to pass him; he failed to recognise his own son.”

Ted had repeated bouts of malaria after contracting it in the Middle East but his desire to serve stayed with him and he became the area secretary and a member of the Union of Great Western Railwayman. His younger brother Jim (Ginger) played football for Weymouth and sadly his 12-year-old brother Charles drowned in the backwater trying to save a man who had fallen in.

Ted married and had three children, all of whom served their country.

Alan said: “Ted came from a proud family, with a sense of service and fair play.

“There are four grandsons who are very grateful he remained so strong and determined during a very difficult, sad and frightening time.”