Search for trooper's relatives (From Western Telegraph)

Search for trooper's relatives

When a Fishguard man bought a Regency tea caddy for £130 in a sale 15 years ago, it was found to be full of the usual household bits and bobs, such as crochet hooks, buttons and thread.

But underneath the clutter was a photograph (right) of a Haverfordwest soldier who died during the Second World War.

The late James Kinver, of Y Berllan, Park Street, Fishguard, did not take too much notice of the contents of the caddy, but now his widow Joan has rediscovered the photo during a clearout and would like to see it restored to the young soldier's family.

The photograph was in a folder supplied by the well-known Haverfordwest photographer Seth Griffiths, of Picton Place, and in copperplate writing on the back of the picture Mrs Kinver has discovered details about the soldier. It reads: "Trooper George Harries Evans, of 2 Castle View, Haverfordwest. Served as Wireless Operator in Tank in 17th/21st Lancers of the Royal Armoured Corps in Italy. Mortally wounded on May 27th, 1944, died of wounds May 29th, 1944, buried at Caserta Central Mediterranean Military Cemetery on May 30th, 1944. Aged 21 years, born May 5th, 1923." Said Mrs Kinver: "My husband Jim bought the rosewood box, which is inlaid with mother of pearl, in a charity auction in Fishguard Town Hall.

The photograph was framed so we did not see the inscription on the back at first. When I saw a piece in the Western Telegraph with a photograph of a woman someone was trying to trace, I thought it would be nice if our photograph could find its way back to the soldier's family."