A SWANSEA woman is on a mission to trace her uncle's First World War medals.

Anne Phillips wants the public's help in tracking down the medals of Joseph Peter Camphouser who was killed at the Battle of Festubert on May 17, 1915.

"He was reported as missing in action and had no known grave," said Mrs Phillips, of Heol Camlan, Birchgrove. " His rank was Lance Corporal and he came from Grafog Street, Port Tennant, Swansea.

"I have no idea what became of his campaign medals and the so-called dead man penny that was sent to his wife, my Aunt Lilian. These were round plaques of bronze, I believe, sent to all widows of men killed in action. I believe that at some time these items must have come up for sale in Swansea and would be delighted to hear from anyone who has them, or knows where they might be.

"Recently I travelled to northern France and, with the help of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, managed to find his name on the memorial to the missing in the military cemetery at La Touret."

Back in Swansea, she headed for the Civic Centre and trawled through newspaper archives to discover a paragraph and picture of him in a copy of the Cambrian Daily Leader for May 18, 1915.

"This is the only lead I have on the medals," she said. "His name is also commemorated on the War Memorial on the promenade at Swansea beach."

Anyone who can help should contact Mrs Phillips on 01792 416382.