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Symbol of hope returned

The treasured possession of a Hull soldier who was killed in World War One has been returned to his family, thanks to an appeal in Hull in print.
It was in January 1917 when Private Jim Todd of the Hull Commercials battalion gave away his personal Bible to his pal Private David Jones, while they recovered from war injuries in a French military hospital.
But this year, the Bible has been returned to his niece, Mrs Marjorie Ray from Hessle High Road.
"I'm thrilled and really grateful to Hull in print for doing this," said Marjorie.
"Private Todd was my dad's eldest brother. He recovered from his wounds but was killed at The Somme the following year.
"He was just 25, and died long before I was born, but it's really touching that the Bible has come home after all these years."
The appeal to return the Bible was started last year by Mrs Myfanmy Bowen, from Colwyn Bay, North Wales, after she bought it in a charity shop near her home.
After noticing a touching inscription inside the front cover (see right), she wrote to Hull in print.
"The Bible must have been a real symbol of hope for the two soldiers amid the horrors of war," said Mrs Bowen. "I only paid 20p for it, but I knew it could be priceless to Private Todd's family or descendants so I wanted to give it back."
Mrs Ray, who read the appeal in last November's Hull in print, was able to provide us with this picture of her uncle (above) who is buried at Arras, northern France.

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Touching tribute: the inscription inside the Bible reads: "To my friend Private Jones 53911 as a token for his great kindness to me while in Puchervillers Hospital on his day of evacuation, January 13, 1917 - Private Jim Todd, with best wishes

 
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Thrilled: Marjorie Ray

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Killed in war: Private Jim Todd from Hull



Hero Jack remembered

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Another Hull soldier killed at The Somme will be remembered this month in a display at The Guildhall.
Former Hull FC player Jack Harrison, who was awarded the Victoria Cross, will be remembered in a display called '90 Years and Not Forgotten' which runs throughout this month.
Jack (pictured above), who scored 106 tries for the black and whites in 116 appearances, was killed while advancing on a German machine gun line.
Armed with only a handgun and grenades, he dodged shell holes and weaved in and out of barbed wire towards the guns. His colleagues saw him throw a grenade and then fall. He was never seen again, but was awarded the VC posthumously. The medal will form part of the display.
For more information about visiting the Guildhall call 300300

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