THEY are precious mementos for the family of a war hero killed in action.

Aside from the frayed ribbons, the First World War honours belonging to Reginald Davis have been kept perfectly intact since they were awarded almost 100 years ago.

Now police are hoping to find the soldiers’ family, who are believed to be in the Southampton area, in the hope of reuniting the treasured items with their rightful owners.

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To see the items recovered, take a look at the photo gallery of what has been found.

Reginald was killed at the age of 31, on September 26, 1917, and his memorial now lies in Birr Cross Roads Cemetery, Belgium.

The collection of medals were most likely awarded posthumously to Reginald, who served with 11th Brigade Australian Field Artillery, and have most likely been passed down through generations of his family.

But at some point during the past five years they were stolen by a burglar who struck at homes across the area.

However, following a raid at a house in the city, officers discovered the medals along with a haul of other precious items buried in the ground in woods in Southampton.

But despite attempts by police to find the family through the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, no relatives have yet been traced in the area.

Buried alongside the medals was an array of jewellery, including necklaces, rings, watches and bracelets, which have all been taken during break-ins dating as far back as 2006.

Menin Road

THE Battle of Menin Road took place during the the Battle of Passchendaele – one of the major battles of the First World War.

The battle was fought for control of the ridge and village of Passchendaele, near the town of Ypres in West Flanders, Belgium. The objectives of the offensive were to wear out the enemy and secure the Belgian coast to connect with the Dutch frontier.

Menin Road raged from September 20 to 25 and saw the first major involvement of Australian troops in the offensive that was dominated by heavy artillery. The Battle of Menin Road Ridge helped established British possession of the ridge east of Ypres.

Passchendaele took more than three months in appalling conditions claiming 325,000 Allied and 260,000 German casualties.

The pictures show a small cameo that was most likely to have been in a setting, a collection of five shilling coins, a box of gentleman pearl cufflinks and shirt studs, ladies’ watches, an Accurist watch, fake Rolex and Armani watches, a small souvenir box and a variety of smaller trinkets.

Other items, which have already been returned to their rightful owners, include a pocket watch and a St Christopher pendant which were bought in 1959 and have been returned to a couple in their 70s this week.

The discovery, which led to the arrest of a man, comes as police in Hampshire continue their anti-burglary campaign called Operation Nemesis, aimed at tackling the continuing problem of break-ins at homes and commercial premises in the county.

Helen Ward, burglary investigation co-ordinator, said: “It has been wonderful to reunite some of the other pieces of property with their owners who never thought they would see them again.

“With regard to Mr Davis, we have made every attempt to trace his family but to no avail.”

Anyone who recognises the items is asked to contact Helen Ward on 023 8053 3231.

Who is Reginal Davis?

THE son of John Murray Davis and Mary Ellen Davis, Reginald was a driver in the Australian Artillery.

He left Melbourne in October 1916 having boarded the HMAT Aeneas.

He was a single man, aged 30 at the time, and had grown up in Guildford, Western Autralia, attending Geraldton State School. He enlisted in the army on April 26, 1916, and died at Menin Road, Ypres, Belgium, in September the following year.

He had been manning Howitzer gun batteries. Just six days before his death one of his brothers was also killed in action.

Another brother died in April 1917.