A man appealing to trace relatives of his war hero grandfather was moved when nearly 100 people turned out in Bromley.
Graham Aveling, 66, is the grandson of Corporal Francis 'Frank' Aveling, who was born in 1890 and lived in Mooreland Road, Bromley.
Corporal Aveling received the Military Medal for gallantry, The 1914 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal during his time in the First World War.
Mr Aveling put out an appeal in the News Shopper for a family reunion he was organising, and was shocked when 70 people turned up.
Holding the get together in Bromley Central Library, along the High Street, Mr Aveling said people had come from as far away as Nottingham.
Coinciding with what would have been his grandfather’s 125th birthday on Saturday (March 21), four generations and cousins up to three times removed gathered in Bromley.
Mr Aveling said: “It was more than expected, I would have been happy with 45.
“We’re all related in some way, some going back to our great-grandfather’s brother’s family.
“I think people found out stuff they didn’t know before.
“Not everyone knew about Frank, some of my cousins didn’t know he had won a medal for gallantry.
“Some weren’t even aware of his 1914-18 war record at all.
“They were very interested and very proud.”
With the oldest person 86 and the youngest four, Mr Aveling said some of those who came he had never met before.
Mr Aveling, from Sevenoaks, said that while most came from the surrounding area and Bromley, they arranged a Skype conversation with his third cousin in Australia, Harry Aveling.
He added: “It was quite a special day and one I will remember, I’ve even received flowers.”
Mr Aveling commented that on the day an elderly couple who were not known turned up.
MORE TOP STORIES He said: “They looked like they were in their eighties, so I went over to say hello.
“They said that they weren’t related, but they had lived on the same street as my family, Mooreland Road in Bromley, for many years.
“They thought they would just come along, that was interesting.”
On display was World War One memorabilia, including a bible, medals, embroidery and clothing.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here