Mystery WWI telegram prompts family hunt

Thursday 18 February 2021

A local charity shop is hoping to track down the family of an injured WWI soldier referenced in a 105-year-old telegram found lodged in a donated atlas.

Dating back to April 1916, the message from the War Office communicated that a Leicestershire Regiment serviceman with the surname ‘Smith’ had been wounded in action in the Persian Gulf.

It came in an envelope, which read: “To daddy’s mother, notifying her of his injury (World War 1).”

Pictured: The telegram is dated back to April 1916

Acorn's Amanda Berry told Express that the note had been uncovered by her colleague, Trish, who found the telegram in an old Readers' Digest atlas that had been donated to the charity's Reuse Centre.

"Trish brought it to the Team Leader's attention as it seemed it might be something of sentimental value to someone as part of their family history," she said.

"We do try and reunite people in those situations."

Pictured: Acorn are now on the hunt for the family of the 'Smith' featured in the message.

It's not the first time something with unique sentimental value has been uncovered by the team.

Amanda recalled how the team uncovered a collection of medals from a World War I veteran at their Reuse Centre in 2018.

Despite calling for help on social media, the family linked to the telegram is still yet to be found.

Anyone that recognises the telegram as belonging to their family or has any leads can email editor@bailiwickexpress.com, or contact Amanda Berry at Acorn on 07797769764.