PEOPLE whose relatives served in the Armed Forces during the First World War are being urged to reclaim a significant piece of their family history.

The Wolvercote branch of the Royal British Legion used to display war medals awarded to some of its members in a cabinet at its clubhouse.

When the branch fell into financial difficulties and closed the club several years ago, the medals were kept safe by branch chairman Ken Bampton.

There were about 30 sets of medals and Mr Bampton has managed to contact the families of most of the recipients, but there are still eight sets left in his possession.

Now he hopes to reunite the remaining medals with relatives of the former servicemen.

Mr Bampton, 72, who served in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in Cyprus, said: “The medals mark various campaigns and each is engraved with the recipient’s name.

“These are important parts of history. It was a pretty bloody war and many, many thousands of people died.”

He added: “I have basically got as far as I could get. This is a last-ditch attempt to say ‘we have got these medals’ and hope that someone comes forward. We’re talking about a long, long time ago, so some of these people may not have any descendants still living, but we have to do the best we can.”

Mr Bampton has all the names of the medal recipients, but will not be releasing them to ensure that they are rightfully reunited with the correct families, as the medals do have a value and could be sold on.

If any of the medals remain unclaimed, they will be sold to raise money for Legion funds.

Mr Bampton said: “We’re struggling to pay our way at the moment.

“Although we no longer have a clubhouse, we need to buy a new standard, because ours is 37 years old and it’s very faded and not fit to pay true tribute to the soldiers coming home from Afghanistan.”

He said a new standard would cost the branch about £700.

If you believe you may be related to someone from Wolvercote or someone with a local connection who was in the Armed Forces during the First World War, call Mr Bampton on 01865 557852 or 07778 419139.

fbardsley@oxfordmail.co.uk