A metal detecting enthusiast has reunited the descendants of a fallen soldier with his First World War medal.
Steven Denton, 56, discovered the 1914-15 Star buried 6ft deep in a farmer’s field.
On the bronze medal, he found the name Francis Joseph Tysoe.
Steve learned Private Tysoe was killed, aged just 19, in March, 1915, at the Battle of Neuve-Chapelle, Calais, France.
He explained: “I dug it out and I thought it was a cap badge at first. But then I washed it and suddenly I had a name, rank and number... That afternoon, when I got home, I was straight into digging out family history.”
Steve traced surviving relative Abigayle Bartaby, 36, who is Pte Tysoe’s great-great-great-niece. The mum of two said: “It was just amazing, absolutely crazy.
“I knew Francis existed and that he was involved in World War One. I vaguely remember my great-grandma talking about him, but she died when I was six or seven.”
Abigayle, of Wellingborough, Northants, added: “To get to see a photo of him and put a face to the name was just amazing – it was a bit emotional, really.”
Pte Tysoe, of 2nd Battalion the Bedfordshire Regiment, died in hospital on March 16, 1915, three days after being wounded.
Steve said: “To meet Abigayle and hand over something so personal, is one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life.”
