The grandson of a Bromley war hero is appealing to trace distant relatives of his own family.
Graham Aveling, 66, is the grandson of Corporal Francis 'Frank' Aveling, who was born in 1890 and lived in Mooreland Road, Bromley.
Fighting in the First World War Corporal Aveling, of The Bedfordshire Regiment, went to France in August 1914 as a member of the British Expeditionary Forces.
He was shot through the arm in October that same year, and sent a telegram back to his 20-year-old wife, Laurie, in Bromley.
Mrs Aveling had recently given birth to their first child, Francis Junior, just three weeks before.
Arriving on October 31 1914 the treasured telegram simply says: 'In England, wounded, don’t worry, letter following, love Frank.'
The telegram sent to Mrs Aveling in Mooreland Road in 1914
After recovering he returned to the trenches in 1915 - reportedly being gassed on once occasion - but went on to receive the Military Medal for gallantry in the field near Ypres, Belgium, in 1917.
His grandson said: "He did something tremendous; he brought back wounded from behind enemy lines. He went out nine times and each time he brought someone back.
"Then he went again and brought back the body of a dead officer and either killed or captured a German."
Demobbed when the war ended, he served as a Bromley police officer for five years but was too old to fight in the Second World War.
Corporal Aveling - who had nine children, more than 40 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren - died 1956 aged 66.
100 years later Mr Aveling is organising a get-together at Bromley Central Library on March 21, coinciding with what would have been his grandfather's 125th birthday.
There will be First World War military and personal memorabilia on display.
Corporal Aveling's medals including the Military Medal, The 1914 Star, The British War Medal and The Victory Medal
Mr Aveling, from Sevenoaks, said: "My Grandfather’s exploits are the inspiration to bring together as many living descendants as possible of the Aveling family, who first came to Bromley in the early 1860s.
"I'm proud of him and he's a role model not only for me but for the younger members of the family."
He is also trying to trace people surnamed Green, Taylor, Ingram, Anthony, Craker, Standing, Spencer, Sergeant, Greenwood, Brown, Burles, Griffiths, Cathesides, Shepherd, Plail, Toghill and Long.
If you are related and wish to attend, email graham.aveling@btopenworld.com
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