Metal detectorist finds evacuee bracelet and has managed to trace the owner

A metal detectorist searching in a field near West Alvington Woods has come across a small toy plane and an evacuee bracelet from the Second World War. 

Kev Allen, Malborough, was searching on Thursday, 4 January, when he came across a small metal plane and an evacuee bracelet with the name HM Rich, 83 Fore Street, Kingsbridge, engraved on it. There was also what he thinks was an ID number. 

The evacuee ID bracelet credit Kev Allen 

Delving into the wealth of historical knowledge in the local area, he thinks it was originally owned by Hilda M Rich, who returned to Kingsbridge after the war and ended up running the newsagents at the top of Fore Street with her sister. 

Kev said: "Where I was searching was right near the old Kingsbridge train station, so I think lots of evacuees came into there. 

"Talking to lots of people we think it belonged to Hilda M Rich, and some people even remember delivering newspapers for her and her sister from the newsagents. 

"Unfortunately, we don't think either Hilda or her sister had any children, so there is no one to return the bracelet to, but its a very interesting story either way."

Kev is going to take the bracelet and the plane to Cookworthy Museum to see if they can find out anything else about it.

The evacuee ID bracelet and plane credit Kev Allen 

This isn't the first time he's found something interesting while metal detecting, and the area around West Alvington Woods and near Bowringsleigh House had already yielded half a cannonball and some musket balls, thought to be from the civil war, and some coins from the 1500s. 

He's also found a gold bracelet near Start Point Lighthouse. He said: "I thought it might be Bronze Age, but the Historical Finds team in Exeter thinks it might be medieval; I'm still waiting for their final information."

Kev is always looking for landowners to give him permission to search their land for some history, and split any treasure finds, and you can call him on 07749 665706.