Peter Jackson's great-grandfather fought alongside J.R.R Tolkien during World War I

Peter Jackson, 'The Hobbit' director's great-grandfather fought alongside author J.R.R Tolkien during World War I, it has been revealed.

William Jackson served with The South Wales Borderers at the Battle of the Somme, while Tolkien was with the Lancashire Fusiliers sent to relieve them, the Mirror reported.

Almost a century later, the New Zealand film director helmed movies 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit', both of which are adapted from the novels of the same name by Tolkien.

Miriam Silverman, ancestry expert, said that Peter would always be associated with Tolkien so it's fascinating that his grandfather shared similar wartime experiences.