Hidden love letters tell of war romance

When Shropshire couple Olivia and Stuart Wilcox bought a chest of drawers at auction little did they know they were about to lift the lid on a tale of wartime romance, air raids and ration books.

For the chest of drawers contained hidden love letters dating back 70 years to the outbreak of World War Two.

The couple, of Wistanswick, near Market Drayton, are now eager to reunite the letters, written by a Harold and Vera Cooke, with the authors or one of their relatives.

A total of 16 letters, dating from 1939 to 1942, were found in the drawers, bought at an auction house in Newport.

Mrs Wilcox said: "We bought the chest of drawers from an auction a couple of years ago and found some love letters in a hidden drawer. We are very eager to reunite these beautiful letters with a relative of the authors.

"If anyone knows the whereabouts of a Harold and Vera Cooke or possible relatives of them, we would really appreciate any help.

"We know that Vera worked at the fire station in Hanley and lived with family in Fenton and that Harold was born around 1916 and worked at Moss Farm in Gravenhunger, near Woore."

Mr and Mrs Wilcox visited Gravenhunger in an attempt to track them down but the farmer had since moved on.

Mrs Wilcox added: "We spoke to another couple of people in the village who knew Harold but they didn't know where he had gone after he left the farm."

She said through internet research they believe that the couple married in early 1943. Vera's maiden name was Katherine Vera Heath.

Mrs Wilcox added: "He goes down to London at one point and talks about the bombs and how they share their ration books. It's quite interesting reading.

"If somebody gave me letters from my grandparents from that era I would be chuffed to bits," she said.

"I would just like to get them back to the family members who would cherish them, they are family history."

Anybody who can help is asked to call Mr Wilcox on 07787101013.