A FIRST World War collector is hoping to give a testament he bought to the descendants of the soldier who owned it.

Chris Nind, who lives in Naples, Florida , bought the testament - they were given to all British soldiers in the conflict as a comfort - on eBay.

It belonged to Pte Francis Reay Bates, from South Street, Ouston, Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

Mr Nind, a retired British Army Lieutenant Colonel who now works for the Salvation Army, did some research and discovered that Pte Bates was in the 11th Battalion of the DLI and was originally a signaller but transferred to the Land Corps.

He died after the war in 1920 aged 26 and is buried in the cemetery in the nearby village of Pelton, but Mr Nind has been unable to discover the circumstances of his death.

The dead soldier’s parents were Francis Reay Bates and Sarah Bates. His service number was 18854.

Mr Nind wrote: "I found the Testament in the USA, but if there are descendants alive I would be happy to present it to them when I come over to the UK to visit family.

"I just felt compelled to see if he has family still alive."

People can contact Mr Nind by e-mail at Chris_Nind@uss.salvationarmy.org and at cvnind@comcast.net