A GREAT-grandfather has traced the origins of a mysterious gold pin that belonged to his late wife after a 10-year search.

Jeff Broxholme, 84, was surprised to discover the small, gold brooch shaped like a caterpillar had a unique history.

Ever since his wife died 10 years ago he has been devoted to finding out where it came from, and approached the Oxford Mail’s sister paper the Witney Gazette for help.

Thanks to our article, the pin has now found its way back to its original family, and Mr Broxholme said he was “amazed” at the reunion.

He was especially astounded at the fact a family member was living just a few miles away in Chipping Norton.

Mr Broxholme, from Milton-under-Wychwood, said: “I’m amazed, it’s just unbelievable – my head is in a spin. I’m so glad the pin is back with its family.”

The rare gold 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.

Mr Broxholme’s pin had the name “Sgt Nicholas John Stockford” inscribed in the back and he and his late wife only realised it was special when an identical one appeared on BBC One’s Antiques Roadshow.

RAF sergeant Nicholas John Stockford was granted the pin after he parachuted to safety after a raid on Rheims Marshalling Yards, France, in May 1944.

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. Mrs Broxholme’s mother, Florence Daniels, had been good friends with Ms Jones, and happened to end up with the brooch, which is how it then fell into the Broxholme’s possession.

Joanna van de Poll, who was helping Mr Broxholme with his mission, said soon after the appeal was published in both the Witney Gazette and the Wychwood Magazine he received a call from Paul Burbridge of Chipping Norton.

Ms van de Poll said: “Paul was a nephew of Joyce Jones. Paul’s mother, Sylvia Violet, was the sister of Alan Craft who indeed did marry Joyce Stockford in 1951.

“They went on to have four children, all of whom went to Chipping Norton school between 1963 and 1976: Jane, Elizabeth, Jocelyn and John. Their mother Joyce died in 1998.”

Mr Broxholme met up with Mr Burbidge to discuss the history and pass on the pin which would be given to Jane, Joyce Jones’ daughter who lives in Devizes.

The great-grandfather thanked the Witney Gazette and the Wychwood community magazine for help in tracing the family.