A METAL detecting enthusiast has unearthed a First World War victory medal while scouring the Suffolk countryside.The 84-year-old Second World War veteran, who did not want to be named, was metal detecting on a farm near Somersham when he stumbled across the findHe now hopes to return the medal to the family of the soldier whose name is engraved around its edges.

A METAL detecting enthusiast has unearthed a First World War victory medal while scouring the Suffolk countryside.

The 84-year-old Second World War veteran, who did not want to be named, was metal detecting on a farm near Somersham when he stumbled across the find

He now hopes to return the medal to the family of the soldier whose name is engraved around its edges.

The medal was given to a Private J G (or C) Burch of the Royal Fusiliers whose Army number was 57389.

Almost six million victory medals were handed out to all British military and civilian personnel in 1919 who had served in a variety of military operations between 1914 and 1918.

The pensioner, who lives in a village near Ipswich, said: “Everybody at the end of the First World War had one. If you had a personal medal, that's unique to the soldier and his family.

“We would like to know who he was so we can try and find his relatives.”

The veteran said the medal was buried about five inches below the ground.

“It could have belonged to somebody local and he dropped it,” he added.

Anyone who recognises the soldier's surname and initials and thinks they could be related should call the Star newsdesk on 01473 324788.