WHO was F. Leather? I ask the question because of a query from Dawn Shaw, who works in the Cashier's office at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

When the Royal Infirmary was closed, all the lost property was transferred to the new hospital. It is kept for some considerable time, it appears, before it is dispensed with if there are no claimants.

So when Dawn was recently looking through the old lost property, she found a medal, saying "F. Leather, 1905" and the inscription "For King and Country, ACC". It is on a copper coloured chain, and was made by Mappin Brothers, of Regent Street, London. On the front is a rather worn impression of Britannia.

Dawn quite rightly feels that if possible, it should be returned to the family of F Leather; but who are they? Indeed, what was the history of the medal? What does ACC stand for?

So many questions, and at the moment no answer.

If you recognise the name, and feel that the medal might have belonged to an ancestor of yours, you can contact Dawn at the Cashier's Department, Royal Bolton Hospital, Minerva Road, Farnworth, or telephone her on 390380.