A VETERAN of Britain's long forgotten but bloody skirmish with the Mau Mau uprising in 1950s Kenya has spoken for the first time of his harrowing experiences.

And now the memories of Rossendale ex-soldier Arthur Fawcett could be committed to paper thanks to a long-distance project started by his daughter Yvonne, who lives 18,000 miles away in North West Australia.

Just like his memories, Arthur's photographs of atrocities committed by the Mau Mau refuse to fade.

Taken more than half a century ago while Africa was struggling to overthrow colonial rule, they show the Kenyan insurgents' ruthless determination to kick-out white settlers in all its horror.

Even after all this time, Arthur keeps the images of murdered British coffee-farmers under wraps.

However, the 73-year-old could soon find his words - if not his pictures - down in print thanks to Yvonne who emigrated to Perth, with Manchester-born husband David, in 1973 at the age of 18.

Curious about her father's exploits in a little-known conflict, she has decided to pen a book detailing his involvement with the Lancashire Fusiliers.

As a lance-corporal in the regiment, Arthur was part of a small British force ordered to round up and capture the Mau Mau rebels and place them in holding camps.

To Arthur, who was born and bred in Loveclough, the book represents his best chance of putting his personal record straight on a controversial chapter in Britain's colonial history.

Speaking from his home in Commercial Street, he said: "I remember we would go out on patrol looking for them.

"We would ambush the Mau Mau, capture them and put them in holding camps - or prison camps as they'd be called nowadays.

"We found numerous atrocities committed by these people.

"I've still got six pictures I took with a little Canadian camera and I've never released them to anyone.

"Maybe it's about time people knew more about what went on there.

"That's why I think a book would help highlight the atrocities. It was a very unpleasant time in my life."

The Mau Mau were a secret insurgent organisation that rose up against European settlers in 1952, killing thousands of colonials.

Over the following four years the British rounded up and executed many of the leaders.

"The uprising eventually led to Kenyan independence in 1963.

Yvonne, who now lives in Broome, a town 2,000 miles north of Perth, said she felt compelled to write the book after finding it hard to piece together what actually happened.

She explained: "We all know about Vietnam, Korea and both world wars, but this war in Africa interrupted people's lives in the same way.

"There seems to be no recognition for what happened - I'm probably speaking out of turn here because I don't really know anything for sure."

Growing up with a father who spoke with real admiration for Africa, Yvonne has only recently realised the demons he has had to live with after what he witnessed.

Yvonne, who attended Lea Bank School in Waterfoot, added: "When I told my father I wanted to write this story he said he wasn't even sure if he can recall all the memories he has suppressed over the years.

"I'm hoping my father will come out here to Australia at Christmas 2005 and maybe being out here and relaxing in the sun he loves so much I can get him to open up.

"I'm proud of the fact that my dad did this but I think it is sad they haven't had any help."