Have you lost old army pic?

After buying a used book from the coop in Mirfield, Peter Batley found an old photograph of soldiers from 1943 being used as a bookmark - it still has all the names of the soldiers on the back in pencils - he is on the lookout for their relatives and wants to solve the mystery.

The evocative 70-year-old picture was discovered inside a second-hand book bought by

Peter Batley at Mirfield’s Co-operative store shortly before Christmas.

The picture has five nicknames written in pencil on the back, along with the date 1943.

Mr Batley, 65, is appealing for the owner or relatives of the soldiers to come forward so he can return the photograph.

The names on the back of the picture are Sammy, Slim, Smudge and Ban Dan, as well as a fifth name that is unreadable.

Mr Batley, of Gateways, Outwood, said: “My mum lives in Mirfield and I take her to the Co-op to do her shopping. Before Christmas they had a stall selling second hand books and I bought one about true crime. I was about half way through reading it when I found the photograph.

“The names are written on in pencil so it has done well to last for more than 70 years.

“The date on the photograph is 1943, so I think it must have been taken in North Africa or Italy as we weren’t in Europe until 1944.

“It was being used as a bookmark so it could be that someone has donated a book without realising that this was in it.

“It would be nice to find a relative of someone in the picture or to be able to give it back to the owner.”

Anyone who recognises the soldiers can call Mr Batley on 07990 996377.