Search is on for the relatives of war hero

John W Beverley

3 More Image(s) In Gallery

A RARE find has led three researchers from Huddersfield to search for the descendants of an Oldham man who died in the First World War.

A book, wrapped in brown paper, and found in a cupboard in a house in Milnrow, was a present to a John William Beverley, given to him by his cousins, Clara Bell and May Matthews on his 12th birthday in December, 1900.

But even more intriguing was a letter found inside the book from John to his mother, dated September 26, 1917, from the battlefields of France.

After finding the letter the researchers set about trying to find out what became of John and more importantly, trying to return the letter to his descendants, which led them to Oldham.

He was born on December 4, 1888. A property repairer by trade, he joined the 2/10th Manchester Regiment the Oldham Territorials at Whitsuntide in 1915, and was sent to Egypt early in 1917.

He was later sent to France where he was wounded in the knee with shrapnel on April 5, 1918, and was transferred to the Lord Derby Hospital, Warrington.

On May 13, 1918, he died, aged 29 and was buried in Chadderton cemetery 11 days later leaving behind a wife and young son.

Sylvia Lodge, one of the people looking to reunite the book with John's relatives, said: "It comes from three ladies from Milnrow and Huddersfield. The book was actually found at a house in Milnrow.

"It was a 'dear mother' letter. After we found it we wanted to take it further to hand it to a living relative.

"To hand it over would be the cherry on the cake.

"We've done a lot of research it, if we do get someone come forward I can give them a lot of details about their ancestor."

While he did not fight in the Battle of Passchendaele, which saw the 100th anniversary of its beginning on Monday, John was stationed not too far away and had he not been injured would likely have been involved.

To commemorate the Battle of Passchendaele, Oldham Local Studies and Archives is hosting a display featuring men from Oldham and District who were killed during the battle.

Between July 31 and November 10 1917 photographs of many of those killed, together with short obituaries, appeared in the Oldham Chronicle and Oldham Standard newspapers, and these ­- plus items from the archives ­- have been used as a basis for the display.

Oldham Local Studies and Archives has identified more than 450 men from Oldham and District who were killed during the Battle of Passchendaele.

If you have any information about John W Beverley or his relatives please contact Oldham Local Studies and Archives on 0161 770 4565 or archives@oldham.gov.uk.