MISSING . . .
THE DAILY MAIL offers the opportunity to re-establish contact with long-lost relatives and friends. Each week, MONICA PORTER features the story of someone trying to find a missing loved one and a tale of people reunited. Produced in conjunction with the voluntary tracing service Searching For A Memory, run by Gill Whitley.
AN UNUSUAL tale from a detectorist. Stephen Eldridge, 65, a minibus driver for the elderly and disabled in Bovingdon, Hertfordshire, has unearthed a trove of goodies in the five years he has been detecting. In spring, he found a hoard of rare, 2,000-year-old gold coins that are now being valued by the British Museum. ‘I also help those who have lost items in their gardens or out walking,’ he says. ‘ I have reunited three people with their lost wedding rings. ‘Detecting is a great hobby: it’s all about history and the thrill of finding things, not making money. Some of my finds have featured in Treasure Hunting Magazine. ‘Last year, I found a World War I silver sports medal in a field in Ashley Green, Buckinghamshire. On one side it says: “12th Divn [division] Sports June 12th 1917.” And on the reverse: “1st prize Water Cart Compt [competition] 9th Roy Fus [Royal Fusiliers] Lt C. Martin No 17,484.” ‘I’d love to find this man’s descendants and return the medal. I’ve been unable to find out any information through the British war museum or the Royal Fusiliers. It would be great to reunite this memento with its rightful heirs.’