A long lost medal awarded to Ashton soldier Harry Pollitt more than 100 years ago has been safely returned to his granddaughter.

Kathleen Horsfield got in touch with the Tameside Reporter after seeing the photo of Harry on our front page two weeks ago with an appeal for any family members to come forward.

We reported how Dave Howarth from the local Waterloo News Facebook group had come across the First World War Allied Victory medal by chance while browsing an online auction site for any Ashton related memorabilia.

Dave noted that it had been presented to a soldier of the Manchester Regiment, Private Harry Pollitt. Knowing of Ashton's long standing connection with the regiment he shared the details with fellow group 'admin' Lee Woods.

The front page of the Tameside Reporter on 30 March when Harry's medal made headlines 

They decided to go ahead and buy the medal which Harry had received in 1919, hoping that they could find his family and return it. As the original ribbon was not included they attached a replacement one.

Through the Reporter, Lee arranged to meet Kathleen and her husband Clifford at their home in Ashton. Kathleen said she felt quite emotional when Lee gave her the medal and expressed her heartfelt thanks to the two friends for their kindness.

"I was so shocked when I read in the paper they had found it and all the effort they had made to find out about Harry and any family who might be around. I am so happy because we had never seen the medal before and now I have it to show to my children and grandchildren."

Kathleen has no idea when the medal left the family but knew that her late brother Vincent who emigrated to Australia in the 1960s had a replica. She has contacted her sister-in-law, niece and nephews in Melbourne to tell them that the original has finally been found.

The seller who lives in Ireland is believed to have had it for some time.

Born on August 8 1888, Harry was the son of James and Mary Pollitt of 56 North Street, off Katherine Street, Ashton and attended Holy Trinity School.

Private Harry Pollitt (front row, second from right) with the Manchester Regiment Baghdad 'Muigan's' Squad at Ladysmith Barracks 

He married Lena (née Oldfield) and continued to live in North Street or nearby for the rest of his life. He died in 1971.

His army service during the Great War took him to Mesopotamia, 'the land between the rivers' in present day Iraq. British and Indian troops fought the Ottoman Turks in extreme heat and appalling conditions.

The turning point in the conflict came in March 1917 as they marched on Baghdad.

After the war Harry worked for a brewery, driving a horse-drawn dray. Kathleen remembers him in later life as a stagehand at the Theatre Royal on Oldham Road.

"He did the scenery and props and I would go to the shows with my grandma on a Monday, because that's when they let us go for free."

Lee and Dave thanked the Reporter for publishing the story and are delighted it has had a happy ending.

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