An identity bracelet belonging to a Scottish WWII soldier has been discovered in Israel sparking a desperate search to reunite the 80-year-old artefact with the man's family.
The perfectly intact bracelet belongs to Lieutenant James Clark, who was a Quartermaster and ex-Company Sergeant Major in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
Gan Erez, 51, and a group of metal detectorists were searching a field near the town of Hadera, 40km north of Tel Aviv and just 5km from where the regiment was known to have been based in WWII on a routine search on December 3. But Gan couldn't believe his eyes when they stumbled across the bracelet bearing the officer's details.
Gan, who has found hundreds of historical objects over the last 40 years, says he "froze" when he saw the ID bracelet with the details still visible on it, describing it as "a once in a lifetime" moment.
He told the Record: "This is a unique and special find. I have never come across anything like it and never will. It's so intact and there are so many details on it. It's astonishing.
"The minute I saw it I had an overwhelming sense I had to get this back his family.
"This artefact is 80 years old and the fact James was an officer makes it even more important to me. He fought for his country and opened the doors that led to my country.
"I cannot imagine what it would be like to receive something like this if it was my own grandfather. It's a precious memory."
So far efforts to find Lt Clark's background have been limited other than confirmation he served with the Argylls and a photograph, which is believed to be of the officer while he was serving with the 1st Battalion in 1942 from the regiment.
Gan has spent hours using Facebook groups and other media platforms to trace a relative but has come to a dead end.
"Many people are trying to help across Britain but we keep going in circles," Gan explained.
"In order to try find his ancestry we need a date of birth because it's a common name. Despite all the details we have to apply to the Ministry of Defence for someone to do a search with his military id and it can take up to a year which is a long time.
"It's a real shame for something that could be so heart warming and we just want to return a lost item."
The ID bracelet is currently being kept safe in Ayun Kara museum which is run by Gan and other volunteers. It displays dozens of items the group have found in Israel over the years.
"I don't want to give up," Gan added. "I will carry on looking for family and we hope someone will recognise James."
If think you might know Lt James Clark or have any information that might help please get in touch with the Daily Record by phone, email or online.
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