SOME of the most far-flung resting places of Commonwealth soldiers who died during the First World War are being highlighted in a new photographic book published to coincide with the centenary of the beginning of the conflict in 1914.

From the African desert to a Scottish loch, For the Fallen captures the stories behind war graves and memorials across the world in a photographic tribute to the unsung heroes of the Great War - and to the tireless work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), which maintains more than 23,000 locations across the world.

Photojournalist Michael St Maur Sheil visited hundreds of sites to bring to life the stories behind them - from a soldier buried alongside his twin, both brothers dying on the same day after coming home safely from the war, in Saskatchewan in Canada to the memorial by the Tower of London dedicated to some 12,000 men who were lost at sea.

Accompanied by a commentary from Peter Francis, from the CWGC, the photos are hoped to give an insight into the sheer number and spread of war graves and the commission's work in maintaining them.

Mr Sheil said he wanted to "make each picture count".

l For The Fallen, by Michael St Maur Sheil with words by Peter Francis, is published today (AA Publishing, £25).