Help reunite mystery medals reeled in by Wellingborough magnet fisherman

The precious service medals were found dumped in a pillow case in a London canal
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A Wellingborough treasure hunter has asked the public to help reunite a haul of First World War medals with the family of a soldier who died in the conflict.

Members of the Northants Magnet Fishing group reeled in a submerged pillow case containing items of jewellery, which had been dumped in the water, when they cast their powerful magnets into a London canal.

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The discarded items were two service valuable medals and a bronze 'Death Penny' engraved with the of name of Edward George Wise, a member of the Scot's Guards.

Canyou help find the relatives of the manCanyou help find the relatives of the man
Canyou help find the relatives of the man

Fishing group founder Andrew 'Shirly' Myster said: "We want to get the medals returned to the person who originally owned them.

"They were stolen not sold. In the pillowcase there was lots of other jewellery but a lot of the time they take the gold and leave the silver."

Magnet fishing involves the use of powerful magnets on lines which are used to fish out metal objects thrown or dropped into waterways.

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Other finds by the group have included grenades, guns, knives and shop signs.

The Northants Magnet Fishing group l-r Nigel Lamford, Shirly Myster, and Daniel MooreThe Northants Magnet Fishing group l-r Nigel Lamford, Shirly Myster, and Daniel Moore
The Northants Magnet Fishing group l-r Nigel Lamford, Shirly Myster, and Daniel Moore

The group brought to the surface the filthy pillowcase in Acton's Paddington Branch Canal in March, just before the coronavirus lockdown.

The medals include a 1914 Star, also known as the Mons Star, and British War Medal.

Found with the two awards was his World War One Memorial Plaque commonly known as a Death Penny, Dead Man's Penny, Death Plaque or Widow's Penny.

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These were given to grieving families as a tribute to soldiers killed in the bloody conflict.

The Death PennyThe Death Penny
The Death Penny

Research by Mr Myster's mum, using online records, has discovered that the solider, who was born in London, died of his wounds on October 29, 1914.

His name is on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, Belgium, alongside those of more than 54,000 soldiers who died in Belgium during the First World War and have no known grave.

Further research has led Mr Myster to believe that Private Wise left a widow Eliza and his son, Edward Arthur Wise, who may have died in Norfolk in 1982.

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Mr Myster, 46, would like anyone who is related to Private Wise to get in touch so the medals can be returned to their rightful owner.

The moment the medals were discovered in the mud-encrusted pillow caseThe moment the medals were discovered in the mud-encrusted pillow case
The moment the medals were discovered in the mud-encrusted pillow case

He added: "The people who did this are scumbags. They will have robbed them from somebody's house.

"The medals must mean something to someone and we would like them to go to Private Wise's family."

If you can help find relatives of Private Wise please contact the Northants Magnet Fishing group by messaging them through their Facebook site by clicking here.You can watch Shirly and his team at work hereA message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

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