Does anyone have info on Mexborough Private’s first World War medals?

David Hobson with the medals he found among his late father's possessions.

Manchester-based David Hobson (69) contacted the Advertiser for help after finding First World War medals belonging to a Private Swinburn Hunter, of Mexborough, when he was going through his dad’s possessions.

David’s dad, William Hobson died in June, 2013, aged 86, and David has no idea how Pte Hunter’s British War Medal and Victory Medal came into his father’s hands.

David said that, through research, he had discovered that Pte Hunter (23956) fought for 9th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment during WWI.

He was born in 1893 and enlisted in the Army in Pontefract on November 20, 1915, aged 23, while he was living at 20 Hall Gate, Mexborough.

Pte Hunter is known to have had at least seven siblings and they all lived with him at his Hall Gate address.

His father was Joseph Hunter and his mother was Emma Hunter.

Pte Hunter was discharged from the Army on December 28, 1917, because he was suffering from trench foot.

He married Sarah Parry in late 1940 at St John the Baptist Church, Mexborough, but died four years later.

Pte Hunter’s medals, which were sent from York, were engraved with his name and rank and still have their ribbons attached.

The British War medal was awarded to all Army personnel who fought for at least 28 days during the First World War and the Victory medal was awarded to most recipients of the British War medal.

David said he had the original envelope they were posted out in although one side of it was ripped.

He said he would love to reunite the medals with their rightful owner and was willing to make the trip across the Pennines to deliver them personally to his relatives.

David said: “I want them to go back to Pte Hobson’s family.

“I would rather them go back to his family than have them here.

“I have no idea how these medals came into my dad’s possession.

“There must be someone there that’s a relative of his — everybody seems to live around the Mexborough area.”

Anyone who knows where the medals should belong can contact reporter David Parker on 01709 768162 or email [email protected]