Andrew's mision to track down descendants of Boer War prisoner

HELP is being sought to track down the family of a prisoner from the Boer War.
Builder William Foster found an army dog tag with the name Private A Gretton while he was working at Bildershaw Bank, near West Auckland, in the 1970s.
His son Andrew Foster, who lives in South Shields, came across the tag in an old box and decided to uncover its story.
The 42-year-old print technician said he had spoken to many experts and trawled his father's memory – but has yet to find a definitive answer to who its owner might be.
“I’ve drawn a blank everywhere,” he said.
“I put an article in the paper last year and there was a lot of interest on Facebook in Bishop Auckland.”
Mr Foster worked as a printer until recently but a serious shoulder injury left him with more time to explore the dog tag's story.
Emblazoned with the head of King Edward and with faint markings indicating its owners name, the tag offered a couple of helpful leads.
Emails to the Imperial Museum and the DLI Museum drew dead ends but help from amateur historians has helped him narrow down the search to the Second Boer War from 1899 to 1902.
He said: “Above where it reads A Gretton there is the figure 376079 which presumably is his army number.
“I’ve been champing at the bit to find out – it’s been a project while I’m off work to keep my mind going.
“I just want to find the family.”
After unsuccessful attempts to find similar dog tags on eBay, Mr Foster hoped enthusiasts in the Gaunless Valley and Teesdale may be able to help him overcome his information impasse.
“Hopefully there is someone out there in my position,” he added.
If you can help, contact Mr Foster on 07749 681192 or email andrewfoster
393@gmail.com