These parchments pay tribute to a Huddersfield soldier killed in the First World War – and the retired teacher who found them would love to reunite them with the soldier’s family.

The parchments from Buckingham Palace relate to James Schofield Wilson.

They were discovered in the shed at a house on Wakefield Road in Lepton in the early 1970s by the sons of retired Huddersfield headteacher Ian Mackay.

Parchments relating to World War One soldier James Schofield Wilson
Parchments relating to World War One soldier James Schofield Wilson

He said: “We bought the house in 1972 from a man in his 70s called Mr Moxon and while clearing out an old shed some time later found two cylindrical cardboard tubes with the parchments from Buckingham Palace.

“I thought they were very moving and used them in school assemblies but now with the anniversary of the First World War upon us I thought it would be good to try to get them back to James Wilson’s family.

“I’m not sure what relation Mr Moxon may have had to the soldier – perhaps he was married to his sister or daughter.”

Mr Mackay now lives in Brampton near Carlisle.

Anyone with information should contact Andrew Hirst at the Examiner newsdesk on 01484 437761 or email andrew.hirst@examiner.co.uk