Nearly lost: John Robinson with the medal by a grid

COUNCIL workers cleaning a drain grid in Bolton pulled out more than they bargained for when they unearthed a First World War medal among the rubbish.

Now the race is on to trace the rightful owners of the silverware -- earned by a mysterious, real-life war hero for action in the trenches.

The medal, the 1914-1915 Star, has been passed on by the council to John Robinson, secretary of Tyldesley Royal British Legion, who has been tasked with finding the owners.

"I do not know whereabouts in Bolton it was found. All I know it was found down a grid," said Mr Robinson. "It could have been down the grid for ages or it could have been stolen and just thrown away because it was no use to the thief."

The medal's inscription denotes that it was presented to a Gunner R Stevens and has the letters RGA which Mr Robinson believes stands for Royal Garrison Artillery.

"I am assuming Gunner Stevens was from Bolton but that isn't necessarily the case," said Mr Robinson. "There were bits of regiments all over the country during World War One so he could have been based anywhere.

"It is also possible that he may still be alive, although he will be a good age now, or he could have died in action and it was presented to his next of kin."

According to Mr Robinson the medal was awarded to those who served overseas during the Great War.

"It would be nice to return it to the rightful owners because, if I can't, I'll just have to hand it over to the police as lost property."

Bolton medal expert Stewart Gaskell, of Smalls Army Stores on Bradshawgate, said the medal as priceless to whoever has lost it. The store has also donated the authentic ribbon to go along with the medal to bring it back to its former glory.

A spokesman for the Army Medal Office said many records from the First World War were destroyed during the Blitz and the only way to trace Gunner Stevens would be to go the Public Records Office.

If you think the medal may belong to anyone you know, contact the BEN Internet Desk on csudlow@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk