Anne and Damian Ward from Llangammarch Wells are still appealing for any information about their mystery find in a Brecon charity shop.

A stunning and expertly hand embroidered white work of twelve regimental badges on a double size bedspread was discovered by Anne in November 2018.

The pair had originally gone hunting for a tablecloth in Brecon’s British Red Cross Charity Shop, before stumbling across the unique bedspread.

Intrigued by the find, they then set off on a fact finding mission and started talking to experts and museums all over the world.

The bedspread, which the couple have donated to a museum, is hand embroidered with twelve regimental badges which were all active during WWI.

The piece was made between 1916 and 1920 by very skilled hands, as confirmed by the Royal School of Needlework and the British Embroidery Guild.

The bedspread however, has no label of signature on it that would point towards who crafted the item.

The fact that the regiments depicted were all active in The Great War and this date was 100 years and one day after the Armistice makes the find even more striking.

Since it was originally reported in the B&R last November, Anne and Damian have conducted even more research into its possible origin which they have made available in a self-published book and Facebook page - Twelve Secret Voices.

“The people we have met has been amazing. Professionals, enthusiasts, historians and archivists as well as similar minded individuals who shared incredible personal stories with us,” said Anne.

“We have been, virtually of course, all over the world, and even time travelled at times. Needless to say the help from Australia and New Zealand did lead to a few late night calls! It has nevertheless been an incredibly enriching experience.”

The journey has taken them to Ypres in 1914, to the heights of a British actor in Hollywood, as well as to St Paul’s Cathedral and to various military organisations all around the world.

Anne explained: “To have professionals inquire about your research and offer their help and resources has been incredibly confidence boosting and humbling at the same time. We even need to brush up on our speaking skills as we have had two requests to do a talk about the bedspread.”

“Help and information sometimes came from unusual sources.”

Anne posted the story on a sewing Facebook page and a number of members shared their stories of other treasured Great War era embroideries and encouraged the research into the possibility that it may have been made by convalescing soldiers.

“After hearing the story of Steve Davies, a volunteer for the Military War Graves Commision ‘Eyes Open, Hands On’ project on Radio 4, we shared our story with him. He got in touch and introduced us to Jane Robinson, a professional genealogist who has vast military research experience and resources,” said Anne.

“She has offered to help us with further research.”

The Llanwrtyd And District Heritage And Arts Centre proved another great source of information with a wealth of newspaper articles expressing the patriotic spirit and mood of the local community in 1914 and some of the government guidelines being published.

But there have been lows too. Whilst promoting the book, one researcher accused Anne and Damian of “profiteering from the dead” and under no circumstances were they interested in the book or the research.

Anne explained: “We are not upset. They clearly missed the point and the fact we self-published and have donated it to a public museum just adds to their misunderstanding of what we are trying to do.

“And we are still exploring possibilities of its origin so that hopefully someday the National Army Museum in London will have its provenance which is so crucial.

“We know the original embroiderers are no longer here to tell us its story but we hope to keep their memory alive. If anyone has any information, we really want to hear from you.”

The couple have been inspired to write a second book, but this time for a different target audience.

Anne said: “Our children, aged 9-13, asked a lot of questions about The Great War whilst we discussed the bedspread so we are working on new version of the book for 8-13 years. We love quizzes and believe-it-or-not-facts and I enjoy drawing and design so this is a great family project.”

With the 100-year anniversary of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal this coming November, Anne is also busy making crotchet poppies for the occasion with proceeds going to the armed forces charity.

Any information or questions on the bedspread mystery are welcomed. Anne and Damian, who can be contacted at [email protected] are very hopeful to find out its story, no matter what it is.

Their book with their story of its find and subsequent research is now available. Twelve Secret Voices, A True World War One Mystery can be found at www.aspect-design.net for £10 plus postage and packaging.