A TEEN has discovered a World War Two dog tag belonging to an Australian airman whilst out walking with his family.
Max Hazlehurst, from Askam, was out walking with his family on Black Combe when he spotted a piece of metal under a rock.
The 13-year-old, who attends Ulverston Victoria High School, was out looking for adders and lizards when he discovered the dog tag.
His mum Catriona Hazlehurst, a carer, posted a photo of the discovery on social media, unaware of the cross-continental story which was to follow.
She said: "We were just over halfway up Black Combe when Max first spotted it.
"He's always looking for things on the ground - he's fascinated by bugs, reptiles, and all sorts of animals.
"He quite often kicks stones over and moved one and saw a chain.
"He pulled it out and saw a chain with some writing on it.
"Straight away he thought it belonged to a war soldier - he has a very good imagination and came up with a big story.
"I never thought for one minute it would be old and actually from World War Two."
After posting the find on sharing page, Around the Combe, Mrs Hazlehurst was inundated with messages about its markings and history.
She said: "People have gone right back into the history of this person.
"From all the research everyone's been doing, we think it's from an airman from Australia who was based at the RAF base in Haverigg.
"We think he either lost it whilst out on patrol or walking."
It turned out to be a dog tag dropped by William Earnest Wills, an officer in the Royal Australian Airforce who trained in the area during the war.
He died when he was 43-years-old while working in the mining industry near Alice Springs in Australia.
A campaign has been launched to return it to Mr Wills' family.
Mrs Hazlehurst said she 'could not believe' what they had stumbled upon.
"We all think it's brilliant," she said.
"People are tying to get in touch with family to send the necklace.
"I think that would be a great end to the story."
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