WHEN an Army commander’s wife volunteered to help a North-East charity, she could never have imagined her efforts would lead to her great, great grandfather.

Buried among the thousands of donated goods at St Teresa’s Hospice warehouse was a commemorative mug bearing a picture of Julia Millen’s great, great grandfather, First Baron John “Jackie”

Fisher, one of the Navy’s most decorated servicemen.

The discovery was made when volunteers were looking through donated goods stored at Lingfield Point, in Darlington, for eventual sale in the charity’s shops.

One of the items was a 1918 commemorative First World War military china mug bearing pictures of three unnamed men.

As the wife of Colonel Nick Millen, the commander of Catterick Garrison, Mrs Millen was asked if she recognised, or would be able to determine, any of their names.

Mrs Millen was unable to help, but hospice staff discovered through research online that one of the men was John Fisher, who was the First Admiral of the Fleet in 1915.

No one was more surprised than Mrs Millen, who revealed: “That’s my great, great grandfather.’’ She said: “The picture did not ring any bells with me, but I recognised the name immediately and just could not believe the coincidence. It is astonishing to think of the journey this mug has taken to end up in my hands. I was shocked and amazed.”

Mrs Millen said she knew she was related to Fisher, but had to talk to her mother to find out more.

Mrs Millen’s grandmother was adopted by Beatrix, Fisher’s eldest daughter.

Mrs Millen has bought the mug as a Christmas present for her mother.

The hospice offers free care and services for people in south Durham and North Yorkshire who are affected by life-limiting illness.

It must raise about £1.5m a year to maintain services and relies on volunteers such as Mrs Millen. To help, call 01325-254321.