The hunt is on to find the identity of George, the writer, and Eileen, the recipient. His letter was found in a locked drawer. Written in pencil on now faded paper, he tells Eileen that he is enclosing his grandmother’s ring “as a promise to you that I will come back and one day marry you”.
George sends his apologies that he cannot give her this letter in person as he is to be posted to the front immediately, but adds that he is sure his mother will see it “finds its way safely to you as soon as possible”.
His final words are tender: “I shall miss you dearly, my beloved. Please do wear the ring and every time you look at it, think of me.”
The dealer who bought the chest of drawers at Shepton Mallet does not wish to be identified, but the story has found its way onto the website of IACF’s antiques portal, Love Antiques.
The fair organiser’s spokesman Grant Nicholas said: “The dealer had talked about the find in the drawer to one of Love Antiques’ employees who was at IACF Shepton Mallet when he bought it.
“They told me and I thought it was a nice story to put up on the site. There has been a surprising amount of interest; from the BBC, the national press and even a private investigator.”
The mystery ring discovered by a dealer in a Victorian chest of drawers bought at IACF Shepton Mallet.
Did George return safely after the war, did he marry Eileen “one day”, or did his mother, to whom George entrusted the letter and ring, never actually give these to her? Who were George and Eileen?
If you can throw some light on this contact Love Antiques on 020 8045 3745 and it will pass on the information.
