Needham Market author Abi Pullen-Game sets up gofundme page to buy World War One Star and Victory Medals

A history writer from Needham Market has said said she is 'desperate' to bring home the medals of a World War One soldier from her town, after she saw them being auctioned online.

Abi Pullen-Game, who is an Archaeologist, Genealogist and history author, has less than two weeks to raise the money needed to buy the Star and Victory Medals.

The medals were awarded to local man Stanley Theobald, who lived in Needham Market High Street, and was killed in action in 1916, aged 28.

Stanley's body was never recovered however his name is on the Theiepval Memorial at the Somme and also on the YMCA war memorial in Ipswich.

Abi has set up a gofundme page to help raise money to hopefully buy the medals, which she will pass on to Stanley's family or display somewhere in Needham Market.

She explained: "I am passionate about the people of Needham Market and our town's history.

"I recently came across the remaining two of Stanley's medals for sale and have less than two weeks to raise the money to purchase these medals, he died fighting for and bring the only thing left of his, home to Needham Market."

Since Abi discovered the medals for sale, she has been researching Stanley's family 'however far removed' so she can reunite them with his medals.

The author said she wants to bring the medals home, before they are potentially 'lost forever'.

"Please help me do the right thing for Stanley," added Abi.

If Abi can't find any of Stanley's family she hopes to display the medals in Needham Market, alongside some information about him.

She said: "I want to make sure he is remembered, I always worry I will be forgotten once I am gone and that is sad."

With the help of research on the Ipswich War Memorial website, Abi has managed to piece together details of Stanley's life before he enlisted.

Born in 1888, to Thomas and Eleanor Theobald, Stanley was a builder before enlisting.

He was made an Acting Corporal whilst on the battlefield in January 1916 - just months before he died in the July of that year.

Research shows that Stanley was a religious man and a keen member of the Boys' Brigade.

As well as being regular player in local cricket and hockey teams he also spent time as a YMCA assistant secretary.

Stanley's medals are being auctioned by Lockdales Auctioneers of Martlesham Heath, near Ipswich on Thursday, January 19.

James Sadler, Medals and Militaria expert at Lockdales, said: "We are proud to be auctioning this small but important piece of local WW1 Suffolk history, we sincerely hope it finds a place with a local buyer."

Members of the public can view the medals on January,11, between 9.30am - 4.30pm at Lockdales Auctioneers in Barrack Square, Martlesham Heath.