Sports medals found in a late Luton pawnbroker’s possessions belonged to a prisoner of war from Stopsley who was a famous local athlete.
The Luton News appealed for readers to come forward with information when more than 200 First World War and sports medals were discovered in Philip Harman’s belongings.
These included two medals from the 1920s in the name of J Stokes engraved LWCC which it was thought stood for Luton Wheelers Cycle Club.
Terry Fleckney saw the article and contacted the paper.
He said: “Jim Stokes of Hitchin Road in Stopsley was my great-uncle. He was married to my grandfather’s sister. I remember being told that he was a prisoner of war in the 1914-18 war and was a famous local athlete in his day.”
Terry’s mother, who is now 90, has some of Jim’s memorabilia including his football medals.
He played for Bedfordshire FA until the mid 1930s.
Terry said: “He was very much involved with Luton Wheelers. I know a few of my relatives have some of his awards won during the post First World War period.”
The medals are thought to have been collected by Mr Harman at Harman and Sons Jewellers of Luton in Park Street, which he ran until his retirement in the 1970s.
Terry is now in touch with Bob Elkin who is Mr Harman’s son-in-law and the person who found the medals.