A HANDWRITTEN letter from a Second World War Soldier has been discovered tucked inside a book – and a campaign has been launched to reunited it with its rightful owner.

The letter was written by a Lance Corporal, known only as John, to thank a schoolgirl for knitting mittens for troops.

He penned the letter in Italy on a winter’s day in February 1944.

Incredibly, his letter was discovered 76 years later, tucked away inside a book being prepared for resale.

The remarkable discovery was made at World of Books in Worthing.

The Argus:

The business is now teaming up with the British Red Cross to try and find out who the letter belongs to.

Graham Bell, CEO of World of Books Group said: “Over 75 million used books come through our warehouses business each year, and we occasionally come across forgotten personal items tucked away inside them.

“It’s incredibly common for people to place memories inside books for safe keeping, whether it be family photographs or letters from loved ones.

"But this find is particularly poignant, especially as we approach Armistice Day – and is a first for World of Books.

“The letter undoubtedly holds great sentimental value. We’d love to reunite it with its owner or their family.

“As a circular economy business, we’re focused on finding used items new homes. In this case, it would be wonderful to bring this letter back full circle to its original owner

The letter’s was addressed to Miss Patt of Hatters Lane Senior School in High Wycombe Buckinghamshire.

She was one of the many civilians on the home front who were encouraged to do their bit to support the war effort, according to the British Red Cross.

Mezehbin Adam, curator at the British Red Cross, described the letter as “the perfect example of how kindness can keep people connecting during a crisis”.

He said: “During the Second World War, the British Red Cross encouraged people to knit comforts for sick and wounded soldiers and prisoners of war.

“We provided knitting patterns to those on the home front and we even have examples of some of the knitted items in our museum collection.

“The stories of these activities are always lovely to hear, especially from such a personal heartwarming letter.”

If you have any information that could help World of Books and the British Red Cross reunite this letter with its owner or their families, contact press@worldofbooks.com