A MAN is appealing for help tracing the relatives of a First World War solider from Cheshire.

Martin Faulkner, who was born and raised in Northwich but now lives in Manchester, said Harry Lamb had been a friend of his grandfather William, as they both fought in the Great War.

Having researched his grandfather's army life extensively, Mr Faulkner inherited many photographs and among them was one of a very smart looking man, who is identified on the back as being Harry Lamb.

"He lived at number one Renshaw St, Lostock Gralam, Northwich, a pal of my grandfather William Faulkner during the Great War," he explained.

"I inherited many photos of my grandfather's service pals in the 3rd Cheshires, Lancashire Fusiliers, King's Own Lancasters, and only Harry's photo has any identification.

"The 1901 and 1911 censuses give his parents as James and Martha, Harry's siblings being George, Albert, Olive, Martha, and Doris.

"There is a possible Harry Lamb in the 1939 wartime census too.

"As this is the only one of the photos I have inherited from my grandfather with a clear reference to the identity of a person, it would be good for young Harry’s photo to return home to any surviving relatives."

Chester and District Standard: Harry Lamb, who lived at Renshaw Street in Lostock Gralam at the time of the war

The smartly dressed Harry Lamb, who lived at Renshaw Street in Lostock Gralam at the time of the war

Mr Faulkner, who is now 65 himself, recalled how his grandfather had been raised on Boundary Street in the town and how he had been rumbled after enlisting to fight in the war while under age.

"William (Bill) himself returned home and later lived at Manchester Road, Northwich.

"However, he had previously enlisted under-age with two friends at the Northwich enrolment office whilst he was a dining room assistant at Lostock Brunner Mond works.

"After training at Birkenhead (he said later 'the square-bashing almost killed me') he served on the Western Front in France and Belgium but was rumbled on setting sail for Thessalonica in Greece and sent home to his angry father who had reported him previously as missing.

"He had already lost a son (John) killed in action at Passchendaele, Belgium.

"He later enrolled as of age and served in the army until 1920 and later continued his career at Lostock works until he retired in 1964.

"He was a much-loved father and grandfather and a splendid character."