RAF veteran's mission to track down Sunderland family after engraved tag found in second hand furniture bought in Spain

Alan Threadgould is trying to track down the owner of the tag found in a set of drawers bought in Spain

A couple got more than what they bargained for when they went shopping for second hand furniture in Spain

Alan Threadgould and his wife Nyna bought a vintage dressing table for their home in Benitachell on the Costa Blanca when they moved from Dubai last year and didn’t think more of it until Nyna discovered a small box in one of the drawers a few weeks ago.

The box contained a ring and a tag, reading G. W. Davison, 28 Wearmouth Drive, Sunderland.

A tag with a name and a Sunderland address on it resurfaced at the back of a drawer in Spain a few weeks ago./Photo: Alan Threadgould

The writing sparked Alan’s curiosity, who started looking for more information about the mystery Wearsider.

Alan, who was in the RAF for 30 years, thinks the tag could potentially date back to 1916 and it might have belonged to a military dog.

He said: “Shortly after moving in, we bought a second hand vanity for the bedroom.

"My wife had been using it daily but it was only three weeks ago that she found this small box way back in a top drawer. In the box were the tag and the ring.

The tag reads G. W. Davison, 28 Wearmouth Drive, Sunderland./Photo: Alan Threadgould

“The thought that they belong together is enthralling.”

Alan believes the items have sentimental value and would love to see them reunited with the owner or their family members.

"Shortly before leaving Dubai my wife lost a piece of jewellery and always hoped it might be returned,” said Alan.

“But in this case the thought that some one had put probably a man’s dog tag and a lady’s wedding ring together seemed very sentimental.

“Maybe a family somewhere is wondering what happened to them.”