THE GRANDDAUGHTER of a Trafford man who was the first British person to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honour - after fighting in the American Civil War - received a timely surprise last year (2006).

Edna Baybutt, celebrated her 80th birthday, with an afternoon party at Seymour Grove residential home, in Old Trafford, on February 22.

And during a special presentation she saw her grandfather's recently discovered pocket watch for the first time.

Old Trafford resident Philip Baybutt went to America, aged 20, intending only to visit his brother but ended up enlisting in the Union Army to fight in the Civil War as a member of the 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry.

He was recognised for his bravery after capturing the Confederate flag during a battle at Luray, in Virginia, on September 24, 1864. Philip returned to live in Trafford after the war and died in 1907.

Four years ago his bravery was remembered as a special ceremony, attended by the American Civil War Society, when a headstone bearing his name was unveiled at Southern Cemetery, in Chorlton.

Historian Mike Mackintosh, aged 45, from Brooklands, made the arrangements with Trafford council after an American friend discovered the piece of jewellery, in an antiques mall in Tennessee.

He explained: "I got the watch in late November and on the back of it found the initials PB' and in small capitals Congressional Medal of Honor'.

"I did some research and read about Philip's story on the internet - that's when I got-in-touch with Trafford council and arranged to show the watch to Edna."

"It's an English gentleman's pocket watch, hallmarked London' in 1884 and retailed by Frederick Johnson, of Altrincham. We don't know what happened to the watch after that and how it ended up in the United States."

Mike added: "Philip was a Trafford lad and was a real hero - he's the only Englishman to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honour. He captured a flag and had his horse shot from underneath him in doing so.

"Finding the watch is just like history coming to life."

Edna said: "It made my 80th Birthday even more special. It has been wonderful to be able to hold something that I know granddad would have treasured.

"I would like to thank Mike for the work that he did in finding me so that we could enjoy all this."

Mike says he hopes Trafford council will be able to establish an exhibition about Philip's life, featuring the pocket watch.