Mystery surrounds the identity of a handsome First World War soldier, after a photograph was found in a locket.

Janet Jones, who lives in Bognor Regis, West Sussex contacted the Leader after she discovered the treasured item in a drawer at home while researching the family tree of her husband Roger.

The locket had belonged to Roger’s late aunt, Ada Lucy Jones (known as Lucy), who was born in Bangor Road in Johnstown in 1902, and featured a photograph of her as a young girl, but when Janet became curious and prized it open, she found the hidden photograph of the solider.

Janet said: “Underneath her photograph was a piece of material and hidden under that was a photograph of this really handsome soldier, but who he is and why Lucy had kept it hidden in the locket is a total mystery.

“We were really shocked to find it because as far as we knew, Lucy lived her life as a spinster, so we can’t help but wonder who this mystery man was? Was he a lost love? Did he die in the war and is that the reason she remained on her own?”

Although born on Bangor Road, Lucy moved to 13 High Street with her parents George and Elizabeth in around 1916/17 and remained there until leaving for London in the 1930’s where she worked as a seamstress for the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company.

Janet added: “She actually taught me how to do a proper hem on a pair of trousers, so I remember her very fondly!

“There’s no-one left in Roger’s family in Wales now, so it’s a bit a long shot, but if the face of the solider is a recognisable one to anyone, I’d love to find out who he was, what happened to him and how did he know Lucy.”

If anyone knows the identity of the mystery soldier, please contact the Leader and we will pass on the details to Janet and her family.

Email scott.murphy@newsquest.co.uk or call 01978 340330.