A RETIRED Army Major is appealing for help in trying to identify a mystery sergeant likely to have served with a North-East unit.

Leo Ennis, of Darlington, is helping his Stockton friend Martin Stabler to try to trace the identity of a soldier in a photograph found his late aunt’s belongings.

Mr Ennis, who served in the Army for 39-years, has used his considerable military knowledge to identify the mystery man as a post Second World War regimental sergeant major

He believes that he is wearing the medal for long service and good conduct – awarded to those with an unblemished record of service for 18-years – and possibly a medal for a mention in despatches.

However, because the sergeant's cap and badge are on the window ledge behind him and thus unclear, Mr Ennis is struggling to identify which unit he served with.

It is not known when or where the photograph was taken, but Mr Stabler thinks the man may be a distant ancestor of his with the surname Brown or Hunt.

He is contacting regimental museums across the region to try and identify the man and has asked Northern Echo readers to help.

If you have any information regarding the man in the photograph, or the unit he served with, contact Mr Ennis on 01325-463361.