Historians are searching for a Northumberland family to help give a soldier killed in 1917 the honour he deserves.
The Ministry of Defence 'War Detectives' team are searching for the families of First World War private Vickers Bell.
The Government team, based in Imjin Barracks, Gloucester, work to investigate any remains of British soldiers discovered on historic battlefields. They use military history research techniques to attempt to identify those found, and to trace their surviving relatives.
They then arrange funeral services with full military honours for those found, inviting any family they've uncovered to come and pay tribute to the relatives who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
They are currently appealing for any information about the family of Private Bell, who is known to have come from Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland.
Private Bell served in the 11th Battalion of Northumberland Fusiliers during World War One.
He was killed on October 15, 1917 near Beselare, Belgium during Passchendaele. But he left behind three sisters, and it's hoped that their relatives can be identified through modern DNA techniques.
A spokesperson for the team said: "Due to the type of DNA we have, we are looking for relatives descended through the female line. We know that Private Bell had three sisters; Hannah, Mary Ann and Jane.
"The family lived in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea in Northumberland."
Anyone who has information about the Bell family or knowns any relatives of Hannah, Mary Ann or Jane is asked to get in touch with the team by emailing DBS-MODWarDetectives@mod.gov.uk.
