A book has been handed back to a school’s library after more than 100 years.

Poetry Of Byron was returned to St Bees School, near Whitehaven, Cumbria, after it was discovered in a couple’s collection in Carmarthenshire, south Wales.

An inscription bears the name of former pupil Leonard Ewbank, along with the location School House, St Bees and the date 25 September 1911.

Headmaster Andrew Keep said the school was “honoured” to have the book back as a tribute to Mr Ewbank, who died in battle during World War One.

The man who found the book, who wished to remain anonymous, wanted to ensure it was returned to its rightful owner.

Mr Keep said: “It’s incredible to think that a piece of St Bees’ history has found its way back to us after all these years.”

He added Mr Ewbank’s story was “an inspiration” to students.

The 430-year-old school is an independent day and boarding school, where pupils pay between £16,000 and £40,000 a year for their education.

Mr Ewbank, who was born in 1893, was a pupil at the school between 1902 and 1911, before moving to Queen’s College, Oxford.

He is commemorated on the school’s roll of honour as “an Englishman, brave, honest and loyal”.

The school said according to its research, despite having poor eyesight, Mr Ewbank had been commissioned into the 15th Border Regiment in 1915.

On 23 February 1916, he was killed by a bullet to the head and was buried at the Railway Dugouts Burial Ground in Ypres, Belgium.