THERE are hopes to reunite relatives with a long-lost bracelet of a Second World War soldier, unearthed by metal detectorists in Israel a few weeks ago.
In an appeal from across the Mediterranean Sea, a renowned metal detectorist is hoping to find the family of Lieutenant James Clark, who is believed to have been an officer with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.
His bracelet, bearing the military ID 202637, was found a few weeks ago in a field near the beach city of Hadera and it is hoped that veterans and residents in the Forth Valley area might recognise the soldier.
Mr Gan Erez, a renowned metal detectorist in Israel, has been on a quest to return the item closer to home and acquired a photograph, believed to be of Lt Clark, from the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Museum.
However, with the trail of leads running cold, he spoke to the Alloa Advertiser to issue a public appeal, hoping someone may be able to connect him with the soldier's family.
Gan has been a passionate detectorist for some 40 years and works with a community of fellow enthusiasts in Israel.
He said: "We got to find this soldier, imagine it was you and someone gave you a souvenir from your grandfather or father when he was a soldier – it would be amazing to find his family."
Speaking of the find, he added: "He was stationed near a town called Hadera – it's pretty close by a beach.
"It was found in a field next to the beach with a metal detector just a few weeks ago."
People with a connection to the family are asked to email ganerez@hotmail.com.
