A BRISTOL man has begun a search for the living relatives of a Second World War soldier buried in Lickey churchyard.

Alan Haynes, from Portishead, is hoping to find the relatives of Alfred William Blunn, whose headstone can be seen in the churchyard.

Alan is from Stourport where he and his father, Arthur William Haynes, originate from. Arthur was a private alongside Alfred, who was a sergeant, in the Royal Army Ordinance Corps during the Second World War. Both fought in France and Belgium before being evacuated from Dunkirk, at the end of May 1940.

On returning to England, the army field workshop of which Arthur and Alfred were part, were billeted to Allum Green House, near Lyndhurst.

On the night of September 5, 1940, a lone German bomber dropped a number of high explosive shells in the area, at least one hitting the house which killed four men, and injuring 11 others.

Amongst those soldiers who died were Stan Tyler, from Worcester, Edgar Gifford, from Frome, and Alfred.

Alan’s father was not injured and went onto be a sergeant, serving the remainder of the war through North Africa, Italy and Greece.

In the early 1980s Arthur, with the help of regimental associations, helped purchase a memorial bench for his former comrades in New Forest, overlooking Allum Green House.

Alan said: “My father has since died and in recent years I felt I should try to ensure the men killed and the story should not be forgotten and to this end have been trying to build details into the events leading up to the bombing raid.”

The Bristol resident added that he would like to speak with any relatives of Mr Blunn, so he could share information on the event, the 70th anniversary of which is this September.

Any relatives, or anyone who can help Alan, can call him on 01275 848730 or 07766043967, or email haynes15@tiscali.co.uk.