AN appeal has gone out for information on a North-East orphan.

Adam Morin, of Northampton, is trying to discover more about the early life of his grandfather, Cooper Slater, who was sent to Lanchester Orphanage, when he was four.

Mr Slater, who died 19 years ago, was born on December 7, 1918, at 1 Wilford Street, Chester-le-Street. His father was also called Cooper Slater, and his mother was Mary Slater, nee Stoker.

His grandfather's aunt and uncle had a soft drinks factory in Towley Street, Chester-le-Street.

Mr Slater had a sister called Maud, who was sent to the orphanage with him and now lives in Canada.

Mr Slater left the North-East for Northampton when he enlisted at the age of 16.

Anyone with information can write to Adam at 153 Obelisk Rise, Kingsthorpe, Northampton, NN2 8TX

Others searching for information on relatives, friends and old neighbours include:

Fridthor Eydal, of Iceland, an historian, is trying to trace relatives or friends of a West Yorkshire-based regiment which perished in an accident off the coast of Iceland during the Second World War.

The 18 men of C Company 1/5 Battalion were lost in an assault boat training exercise on February 13, 1942. Their bodies were never found.

They were: Private Alfred Baines; Lance Corporal Arthur Baldry; Pte William Ballantyne; Pte Sydney Bannister; Pte Harry Casey; Pte George Dunning; Pte George Evans; L Cpl Ronald Graham; Pte Richard Hebbron; Pte Henry Hopkins; Pte Arthur Macdonald; L Cpl Arthur Mulholland; Sergeant Leslie Riley; Pte John Smith; Pte Walter Sparling; LCpl Kenneth Topping; Pte Herbert Wannop and Pte Walter Wise.

Contact Fridthor at PO Box 21, 235 Keflavik Airport, Iceland.

Hilda Bush, nee George, of Durham, is trying to get in touch with Patricia Hebron nee Phinn, who was last believed to be living in the Sheffield area.

Her father was a butcher in South Shields,South Tyneside, and her brother was a doctor. Hilda can be contacted at 11 Grand View, Sherburn, Durham, DH6 1EN.