AN appeal to Times readers by a man from Lancashire for information on the wife of a British soldier who died in world war one has brought a response — much to his delight.

Retired history teacher Trevor Green from Lancaster asked for information on the widow of William Vernon, his grandmother's brother.

Trevor was trying to uncover information and perhaps a picture of William's wife, Emma, née Jarman, who was a servant girl in Lamerton.

She met William Vernon, a soldier with the South Staffordshire Regiment, and they married at Lamerton Church December 1915.

Unfortunately, William died of battle wounds in February 1917 — not seeing his son, Leslie, who was born in January 1916.

After the article Eric Jarman, 82, who is a nephew of Emma's, contacted Trevor with news that he may be able to shed more light.

Trevor also received a book from Ann Cole, the author of 'Lamerton a photographic history', where there are several photos of the Jarman family and two of Leslie aged about 12 years.

Eric Jarman told the Times: 'My niece, Mary Worth in Lamerton, has a diary kept by her mother which may be of help, while my sister, Margaret, in Sussex may have some photographs and my son Robert in Mary Tavy has a family tree. We are delighted to help.'

Trevor said: 'Thank everyone and the Times for their help. I have given a donation to the local hospice as a way of a thank you to all involved.'