can anyone give my title / author of this book?

[me181]

In the 1980's whilst returning back to camp, (I was in the forces) I was reading a book, about a roman soldier, that was guarding Christ on the cross & he was cursed never to die. He was in the desert I think in the 6 day war, he was badly wounded, in surgery they remove old arrow heads they thought was shrapnel. He was delirious speaking in Latin that hadn't been spoken for hundreds of year. Yes you guessed it I got off the train leaving the book. I've been trying to find it ever since Can you help?

[shaneystar2]

Was it one of the series "The Eternal Mercenary" by Barry Sadler.
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/s/barry-sadl er/

[Octavius]

Ooh I like books about Romans! Is it any good?