WHAT started off as a simple request for information on a Foulridge soldier killed in action during the First World War has resulted in family members meeting for the first time although they lived only a few miles apart.
Peter Wilson, who lives in Cockermouth, Cumbria, wrote to this newspaper asking for relatives of Howgill Wilson, who died in March, 1918, to contact him as he had memorabilia he wished to pass on.
It turned out that relatives of Howgill, one of nine brothers and sisters, still lived locally and telephoned Peter.
That culminated in him coming to Colne on Saturday to meet three branches of the family descended from Howgill’s brothers and sisters at Colne Library - and saw cousins who lived in Trawden and Foulridge meet for the first time.
Mr Wilson said: “It was a fantastic day.
“We agreed who would look after the memorabilia for the time being and the family members have agreed to keep in touch.
“I have since been contacted by three more cousins, so the appeal has resulted in nearly 50 people who were related to each other being brought into contact.”
One detail that has emerged during Peter’s research is that one of Howgill’s brothers also died on the First World War battlefields a month after Howgill.
“The family all felt it was important to have a record of this family tree to pass on to future generations. It was a fantastic day,” said Peter.