Mystery surrounds metal detector find

MYSTERY surrounds the origin of a badge dug up by an eagle-eyed metal detecting enthusiast.

Roger Luker discovered the silver badge six months ago while metal detecting in Cheltenham. But the 65-year-old's hunt for its meaning has proved fruitless.

The silver badge features a lion and a rose, believed to be the Lancaster rose with an axe and Mr Luker believes it might date back to the 1940s.

The hallmark on the back suggests it was made in London.

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Mr Luker, of Prestbury Road, said: "I have looked in the heritage library but can't find anything that looks like it.

"I have also taken it to the staff at Tewkesbury Museum and no one there recognised it. They said it might be the badge of some sort of private club.

"I would really like to get to the bottom of this. I know the badge itself is probably not worth a lot but it would be fantastic to find out the history behind it."

He said the badge looked like it could have once had a pin on the back and might have been used on a cap or lapel.

This is not the first time Mr Luker has stumbled across something of interest on his trips out with the detector.

He said: "The first time I actually went out with the metal detector in Cheltenham I found a Roman coin which dated back nearly 2,000 years.

"That was amazing and a bit of a lucky find as it was the first time for me."

Mr Luker, who is semi-retired, goes out regularly when the weather is nice to hunt for treasure.

He said: "It's an enjoyable hobby and something I just got into really. Most of the time you don't find anything but this has just sparked my curiosity.

"It would be interesting if someone came back and said it was their club badge."

Fellow metal detector fan Roy Savage, of Bishop's Cleeve, also knows the frustration of not being able to identify a find.

He said: "I have found a badge probably similar to this one which may be a club badge.

"I also found a commemorative coin dating back to 1901 with the mayor of Cheltenham's face on it. I have no idea what it was for, but I think it might have been to do with the King and Queen."

Two years ago he found a grenade and more than 145 gun shells while using a metal detector in the Cotswolds.

But for Roy, part of the fun is discovering a bit of history on the doorstep. He said: "It's all a learning curve. It is fun to find out about the history, it can be really fascinating."

■ Do you know the origin of the badge? Email echo.news@glosmedia.co.uk or phone 01242 278081.

OPINION, P8