A WARTIME romance has set Swiss woman Alessandra Andaloro a puzzle that may now never be resolved.

But the lady from Lausanne is determined to have one last try at locating her grandfather or his relatives.

The story, or as much as she knows if it, is that her grandfather Paul Bray, of Huddersfield, was a car mechanic serving with the British army during the Second World War.

By the end of the war he was stationed in Bologna, Italy, and had formed a relationship with Alessandra’s grandmother, Bernardina Barni.

“Unfortunately, the troops had to go back to the UK around May 1947, just before my mum Paola (the Italian feminine form of Paul) was born, and she never met her dad,” said Alessandra.

“Three years ago while filing some of my grandma’s documents, my mother found a letter dated 1959 with the address of the father she never knew.

“We tried at the time to find out more and some background information did come to light.

“But we still don’t know if my grandfather is alive or if he has family.

“My mother could have half-brothers and sisters and I might have cousins. We just don’t know, but we’d love to find out.”

Paul Bray was born on June 23, 1923. His address was registered at the time as 61 Arthur Street, Golcar.

His parents were Joseph Burton Bray, a dentist, and his mother was Gertrude Bray, nee Houchin.

Alessandra picked up from her mother that in civilian life Paul became an expert mechanic with Mercedes cars.

In 1959 Paul was living at 198, Mill Lane, Birkenshaw, leading Alessandra to believe that her grandfather never moved very far from his place of birth.

“My grandma and mum moved to Switzerland when my mum was 12 years old and it is where I was born and am currently living,” said Alessandra.

So can anyone help to give Alessandra more information about Paul?

It’s likely he returned home and then probably married.

If he or relatives are out there they have the option of contacting Alessandra on +41 78 643 0045, emailing alessandra.andaloro@nsn.com or writing to Ch. Aimé Steinlen 15, 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland.