An exhibition about a Stoke-on-Trent soldier who died during a World War II operation is set to go on display in the Netherlands - as a researcher hopes to find local relatives.

In September, an exhibition will share the story of Private Edward E. Hird, from Hanley, who died in September 1944 in Oosterbeek, the Netherlands during Operation Market Garden.

Every year the Renkumse Molen (mill of Renkum) hosts a new exhibition, and this year it will focus on the Stoke-on-Trent soldier following research by Renkum local and mechanical engineer Jaap van Genderen.

Jaap, who researches Operation Market Garden in his free time and has volunteered at the commemoration service at the Airborne cemetery in Oosterbeek, said: "Every year there is a story about one person who lost his life during Operation Market Garden.

"I got a tip last year to have a look at the story of Private Edward Hird and so I did. It is a sad story about a young person losing his life, and his parents who lived in grief all those years."

With the help of friends in the UK and the Netherlands, Jaap has been piecing together the story of Edward Hird and is now calling on Stoke-on-Trent locals to find any potential relatives in the area.

The story of Private Edward Hird's wallet

Private Edward Emmanual Hird, born June 15 1923 to parents Emmanuel Baden Hird and Annie Hird, was part of 1st Battalion, the Border Regiment.

According to a statement from Private W.E. Hampson, while serving in the Netherlands, Edward Hird was seriously wounded during a bayonet fight and taken to the Regiment's First Aid Post.

This First Aid Post was then shelled by mortars, tearing off his leg.

Private Hird died of his injuries on Saturday 23 September 1944. His body went missing and due to the chaos and ongoing fighting, he was reported missing on 25 September 1944.

While searching for souvenirs near the Jonkershoeve, 15-year-old Piet Wind from Bennekom found a bloodstained coat containing a wallet.

He took the wallet, containing money and a prayer card with English text, and preserved it for several years.

Piet's father later took the wallet to an exhibition in the sheepfold in Ede during the 25th commemoration weekend, before taking it to another to an exhibition in Burslem.

During the exhibition, an elderly lady approached the wallet and examined it closely before fainting. The woman was Edward Hird's mother.

"After 25 years, she saw a piece of her lost son again," Jaap said.

After the death of Edward Hird's mother, the wallet was included in the collection of the Airborne Museum in the Netherlands.

Jaap said: "I think Private Edward Hird should be remembered in Stoke on Trent.

"Edward Hird lost his life for the freedom we are living in right now."

He added: "For his family and the inhabitants of Stoke on Trent it should be good to know the story of Private Edward Hird. It should be possible to read that story somewhere."

The exhibition will feature panels of information detailing the story of Edward Hird's life along with his wallet and flags of the 1st British Airborne Division and the Union Jack.

Anyone with information or photographs about Edward Hird or his relatives is encouraged to contact Jaap Van Genderen at [email protected]