A BOX of First World War postcards sent from the front and 'lost' for almost four decades have been returned to the soldier's family in Sale.

When the soldier, Gilbert Tasker Mahony, died in 1978 at his home in Shipley, West Yorkshire, the box, which contained family photographs and 200 postcards and written to his wife and daughter, was accidentally left in the cellar, where it was subsequently found by the new owner, David Jackson.

After finding the box in an otherwise empty house, Mr Jackson made several fruitless attempts to track down the family.

It was only by a quirk of fate, that they were even spotted, after a local historian agreed two years ago to put them online for Mr Jackson, in the hope that somebody would see them.

Gilbert's granddaughter Ursula Steel, who lives in Sale, explained: "One day, I was trying to find out more information about Gilbert and was Googling 'Shipley' when I came across this site with my grandfather's postcards on.

"I could hardly believe it and it was very emotional to see these cards he had written."

During the final two years of the First World War, Mr Mahony had travelled extensively round the European theatre as a fitness instructor. He wrote the cards to wife Lil and four year old daughter Aileen.

Ms Steel contacted Mr Jackson, who agreed to return the contents of the box, which included a post-war workbook filled with notes and drawings by Gilbert's younger daughter Sheila who became mother to Ursula.

Ursula added: "Mum is now 92, and I can't wait to show her all these things, especially the workbook, and see what she says. I'm sure this will stir memories of her childhood."

Mr Jackson added: "I'm delighted they are back where they belong. We've moved house three times since we found them but couldn't bring ourselves to throw them out."

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