A former head teacher of St Ivo School is appealing for information after he discovered a First World War medal hidden in a box in his house.

The Hunts Post: The medal John Rhodes is trying to reunite with the family of its owner. Picture: ARCHANTThe medal John Rhodes is trying to reunite with the family of its owner. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

John Rhodes, from St Ives, taught at the secondary school between 1973 and 1993 and said he found a medal in a cardboard box and wants to reunite it with the family of its owner.

Mr Rhodes believes that he may have taken the medal home by mistake when he was clearing out his office and now he wants to return it.

Mr Rhodes said: “I worked as the head teacher at St Ivo School for 20 years, and it wasn’t until I retired that I found the medal.

“I was searching for something in my house and came across this medal in a cardboard box. I must have accidently taken it when I was clearing out my office.

“This medal obviously belongs to someone, and one of the students probably brought it in during a history day and just forgot to take it home. It would be great if we could reunite it with the owner, especially as we are commemorating 100 years since the end of the First World War.”

The medal is a George V British War Medal, 1914-18, belonging to ‘Private A Appleton, Rifle brigade, 1094’.

The medals were awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between August 5, 1914, and November 11, 1918, inclusive

Mr Rhodes said: “This could be really valuable to someone, and I want to make sure that it goes back to the rightful owner. If anyone has any information it would be really helpful.”

If you have any information about the medal or think it may belong to your family, call Katie Ridley on 01480 446472 or e-mail katie.ridley@archant.co.uk.