A PIECE of military history has been discovered by a daughter in a box of her late father's old belongings

Peggy Dengate found the cup, inscribed with the date 1910, as she was going through the box containing her father Ronald Campbell's items as she was looking to move house.

Now the 57-year-old is hoping to find out more information about it and donate it to a museum where the trophy can be appreciated by others or give it to the living relatives of one those who won the cup.

The inscription on the trophy reads 'Driving Competition for the best sub-section in the North Midland Howitzer Brigade RAF Presented by Captain EB Fitzherbert-Wright on July 29, 1910. To be competed for annually."

The back of the trophy bears the Coat of Arms of the Derbyshire Artillery.

The names engraved on to the bottom are: 1913 Pembrey Sgt W Hardy, The First Derbyshire Battery; 1914 Sgt Verdon, The Second Derbyshire Battery; 1922 The 247th (Wolverhampton) Battery, which was also won by the same person in 1923 and 1924; 1927 The 246th Field Battery R.A.T.A; 1928 245th Field Battery R.A.T.A; 1929 248th Field Battery and 1930 The 247th Wolverhampton Battery.

Mrs Dengate, who has recently moved from Westhoughton to Tonge Moor, said: "My father died 15 years ago and I was given a box with some of his belongings.

"I was clearing out the loft and I saw the cup. It really is a piece of military history.

"I have friends and family in the armed forces and everyone I have shown it to has really been interested in it because it is so special. They have all asked me to find out more."

Mrs Dengate said approached the people at Bolton Armed Forces Centre for Veterans.

The centre found out that a driver was a soldier trained in the management and use of horses. The six horses drawing the gun, or wagon, were driven by three drivers.

The cup was the prize for an internal, annual brigade competition between the batteries.

The centre also gave her information on the history of the regiments.

Mrs Dengate said: "The history behind the cup really is amazing — to think they would compete with horses — and although it looks lovely on my mantelpiece it does not belong to me. No one in my family has their name inscribed on the trophy it so I don't know where my dad got it from, through he was the forces.

"I would like to donate it so more people can see it and appreciate it or give it to the family who recognises the names, because it would mean so much to them."

She added: "I am so grateful for the help the centre gave me in finding out about the history of the cup and it would be great to hear from anyone who knows anything about the cup.

Anyone with information should email saiqa.chaudhari@nqnw.co.uk