The grave of Signalman Samuel Morgan (2331659) of Snedshill, Shropshire

An appeal has gone out to trace the family of a county soldier who died as a prisoner of war in World War Two while helping to build the bridge over the River Kwai.

Signalman Samuel Morgan, of Snedshill, in what is now Telford, died in 1943 aged 25.

He was buried at Kanchanburi Cemetery in Bangkok, Thailand, along with nearly 7,000 other casualties.

The Burma-Siam railway, built by Commonwealth, Dutch and American PoWs, was driven by the need for improved communications to support the large Japanese army in Burma.

About 13,000 PoWs died and were buried along the railway.

Geraint Morgan, no relation, of Cardiff, took a picture of the soldier’s grave on a recent holiday to Thailand.

He wants to forward the picture to members of the family if they have not had the opportunity to visit the site themselves.

He said: “The heat and humidity was intense and we could only wonder with amazement at the conditions endured by Allied soldiers who were forced to work in appalling conditions on the bridge.”

He added: “I took a photograph of one grave which, having searched the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, is that of Samuel Morgan, son of John and Florence Morgan, of Snedshill, Shropshire.

“He was in the Royal Corps of Signals, service number 2331659 and died on June 29, 1943, aged 25.

Any family member can contact the Shropshire Star on (01952) 241450 or newsroom@shropshirestar.co.uk or Mr Morgan on 029 2072 0521.

By Wayne Beese