THE mystery box found in the shed at Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway has been re-united with a Newport man following investigative work from young historians at a Newbridge school.

The box, which contained items dating back to before the First World War, was found by the husband of Pentwynmawr Primary School’s headteacher Jackie Nash.

She passed the items onto the school’s history club and after an article was published in the Free Press, the school were contacted by Malcolm Collins, the son-in-law of Arthur David Morris and Phyllis Evelyn Morris, nee Bennett.

“I feel very happy to have these items back. It was quite a shock seeing them in the paper as I didn’t know I had lost them,” said Mr Collins, 78, of Birch Hill, Malpas, who married the couple’s daughter Diane in 1964.

“I realised that these items were mine after I saw the military picture and thought it looked very familiar. I then read through the article and it all became clear.”

Mr Collins visited the Newbridge school on Friday afternoon and talked to the students about the items inside the rusty biscuit tin.

He brought in additional items to show the children, which included pictures of his mother-in-law representing Newport and Wales at beauty pageants in the 1930s.

“It has been a joy to come into the school and talk to the children about the box and the stories that go with the items inside. And the extra pieces of information which I brought with me to show them,” he added, although he remains unsure how the items made its way to Blaenavon.

The school’s history club members – Daniel Chivers and Jade Miles, both 11, Scarlett Pike and Leland Davies, both 10, have used the box to aid their learning, while creating a board game based on it.

“I feel quite proud of myself as I helped to find the owner of the box. He has his belongings back with him which is great,” said Jade.

“The memories of Mr Collins’ family are in that box so it has a nice happy ending. I’m sure he wants to keep them safe, but I’m glad we were able to help him.”

The children heard about Mr Collins’ time in RAF, where one of his tasks was to cut the grass at the base with a pair of nail scissors.

“It was interesting to hear Mr Collins’ stories and it has helped to increase my interest in history,” said Daniel.

“I’ve learned about what happened in both world wars and it’s great to hear a personal account from history.”