Medal found

BURIED in the ground, this First World War victory medal was unearthed by engineers in Newcastle.

The sentimental piece was found in Fawdon area during Virgin Media’s routine work on its broadband network.

Workers from contractors McNicholas found the medal.

It carries an engraving of: “57672, PTE. A. J. Gifford, W. York. R.”

The National Archive was able to find a record for an Ansele J Gifford of the West Yorkshire Regiment, but unfortunately no other information could be found.

Now, Virgin staff are reaching out in the hope of tracking down the rightful owner.

If in two weeks the medal’s owner cannot be found, then it will be given to The Prince of Wales’s Own Regiment of Yorkshire, based at York Army Museum.

Karen Ingham, regional director at Virgin Media, with contractors from McNicholas after the discovery of WW1 Victory Medal, inset, in Fawdon, Newcastle