A FATHER and son are looking for local help to fill in a 30-year-gap in their family history.

Four years ago, Kevin Beech managed to trace his late grandfather Ralph Beech to Milford Haven, where he was buried in the town cemetery.

Originally from from Widnes in Lancashire, Ralph disappeared from his marital home in 1919 – not long after the birth of his only son James, Kevin’s father.

“The family story was that he went to Canada,” said Kevin, who lives in Hampshire, but returns to Milford Haven once a year to visit his grandfather’s grave.

“But then in 1953 he pops up on a trawler in Milford Haven.”

Ralph is believed to have worked as a chef aboard two local trawlers, the Our Bairns and the P&Y.

Not much is known of the time Ralph spent in and around the Pembrokeshire coast, and on his death –he drowned in 1956 - he is listed on his death certificate as ‘of no fixed abode’.

Now, together with his son Keiren, Kevin is trying to find out more about his absent grandfather, and the time he spent in the county.

“I’d like to know how long he worked on trawlers and whether he served during the Second World War, as a lot of trawlers were requisitioned as minesweepers,” he said.

“We know he was here for at least four years, but it could have been much longer.”

Ralph’s brother Moses was killed in during First World War, while serving with the South Lancashire Regiment, but Ralph was medically discharged due to eyesight problems, despite having previously worked as a clerk.

Asked why the pair was so keen to find out more about their family history, Keiren said: “If he hadn’t been here, we wouldn’t be here.

“He’s left a legacy, even though he was probably oblivious to it.”

If you have information that could help, email kjb270846@aol.com or contact Joanna Sayers at the Milford Mercury on 01437 761764.