STAYING behind enemy lines while the British army retreated Norman Kelly's story of loyalty and valour is told by his son in a new book.

Kelly's Burma Campaign - Letters from the Chin Hills' by Dr Desmond Kelly tells of his fathers time in Burma as colonial administrator of the Burma Frontier Service during the Second World War.

As the Japanese Army swept through Burma in 1942, and the British Army retreated to India, Norman Kelly remained behind enemy lines encouraging local tribesman to join the allies.

Told through the letters Norman wrote to his wife Betty, who had been sent to India with Desmond and his older sister Maeve at the outbreak of war, the book explains the vital role he and the Chin Levies played in holding the hills around Tiddim.

Dr Kelly, born in Burma, has lived in East Sheen since 1963. He worked as psychiatrist and was medical director at the Priory Hospital in Roehampton from 1980 to 1997. He has two sons and five grandchildren.

Despite being awarded an OBE before the war, Dr Kelly's father was never recognised for his wartime efforts.

When the author discovered his mother had kept all the letters his father had written during their time apart, Dr Kelly decided it would make a worthwhile story.

He said: "Writing the book has largely increased my understanding of my father. Parents don't talk to seven and eight-year-olds as they do to each other."

Described as a social account of events in Burma, published by Dr Kelly's company Tiddim Press, Kelly's Burma Campaign is available from bookshops or by request - fax 8876 7230 or email desmond.kelly@ukgateway.net.