A GREAT-GRANDFATHER has turned detective to trace the original owners of a rare gold pin in his possession.

Jeff Broxholme, 84, from Milton-under-Wychwood, near Burford, was surprised to discover the small, gold brooch shaped like a caterpillar at his home had a unique history.

Mr Broxholme, who lives in Jubilee Way, said: “While watching Antiques Roadshow some years ago my wife Ann jumped up and said: ‘I’ve got one of those.’ “The item in question was the tiny gold brooch shaped like a caterpillar.

“I said to her ‘that’s impossible’ but she went upstairs and returned with the very same brooch in her hand.”

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Mr and Mrs Broxholme set out to discover the pin’s history, with Mr Broxholme taking on the challenge single-handedly when his wife died 10 years ago.

Still searching, he is now appealing to the wider area to try to find someone who might be able to help.

The brooch was created in 1922, after parachute company owner Leslie Irvin decided to give a gold pin to every person whose life was saved by one of his parachutes. He set up the Caterpillar Club, with the name referring to the silk threads that made the original parachutes. The club motto was “life depends on a silken thread”.

The great-grandfather said: “The pin is inscribed on the back with the original owner’s name and service number, 573015 Sgt Nicholas John Stockford RAF. And so my search began.”

Sgt Stockford turned out to be the son of George and Elizabeth Stockford of Heythrop.

In May 1944 he parachuted to safety, with one of Irvin’s parachutes, after a raid on Rheims Marshalling Yards, France, and was helped by the Resistance to cross France and Spain.

The Caterpillar Club granted him one of the special gold brooches, after his life was saved by the parachute.

Mr Broxholme said: “After returning to England Sgt Stockford married Joyce Jones of Chipping Norton in August 1944 but died suddenly in September that year, aged just 22 years.

“He is buried at St Nicholas’ Church, Heythrop.

“Ann had no idea how her mother, Florence Daniels, came by the brooch except that after her husband’s sudden death Joyce moved to Canada.

“Ann’s mother lived in Spring Street, Chipping Norton, near Joyce.

“It is possible that she helped clear her house and pack for the move to Canada and that the brooch was among the odds and ends that she did not want to take.”

  • Anyone who may be able to help with Mr Broxholme’s search for more information on the brooch can email megan.archer@oxfordmail.co.uk or call 01865 425411.