Following an appeal in The Journal back in April, after an antiques collector in Lancashire found a medal belonging to Midsomer Norton resident, Leslie Wadman, dated 1924, several members of Leslie’s family have come forward, including some from the United States.

The medal was discovered by Adrian Beck, who found it among some pieces when clearing out a friend’s estate. It was awarded to Leslie Wadman for boy’s solo vocalist from the 1924 Mid-Somerset Festival and sparked huge interest among readers, with some contacting us from as far away as North America.

What started out as a simple search for the identity of a singing champion has become a family affair, with long-lost cousins being reunited via email and Facebook, coming together to swap stories about Leslie.

It transpires that Leslie was one of eight children born in Midsomer Norton, with his siblings moving across the country and his youngest brother heading for America. Relatives from the local area, as well as those on the south coast and overseas, have contacted us with information about Leslie and his life.

After joining the army, he married and moved to the north of England, where his son, Thomas, is still living. Leslie’s younger brother, Geoff, who is 86 and now living in Phoenix, Arizona, and his children also got in touch, with stories about Leslie.

Alan Wadman, one of Leslie’s nephews, said: “His first job out of school was in logging, cutting down trees to be hauled off to the mill. As a young man, he married and moved to Lancashire. He joined the army in the 1930s, apparently in order to keep his brother from getting into trouble.

“He was a Sergeant in the Royal Artillery and was part of the British expeditionary force who were eventually evacuated from Dunkirk. He then fought in the North Africa campaign and again in Italy.

“After the war, Leslie worked in a canning factory. He had one child, Thomas, and his wife passed away in 1977.

“In the 1970s, Leslie began fairly frequent long holiday visits to his youngest brother and family in New Jersey, U.S. That is how I came to know my Uncle Les.

“During his visits, he would often sit in our family room, light up his pipe and sing. His singing talent was quite apparent, even then.

“Unfortunately, Leslie did not pursue a music or singing career. My impression is that in the days of his youth the family was quite poor, so the pursuit of a singing or music career was beyond any luxury that his family could afford. They needed all hands on deck to help put food on the table.

“My Uncle Les was a good man, and is remembered fondly by my siblings and I, who had the privilege of spending time with him during his retirement years.”

Annette Curtis, a relative of Leslie’s who lives locally, visited us in the office with photos and stories of how the family have all come together to swap memories on seeing the Journal appeal article and passing it between them all.

Jean Dandorph, Leslie’s niece, said: “We are all so excited to see this medal – the article was forwarded from a cousin of mine to help spark a conversation and bring joy to my Dad. It made our day in bringing back so many fond memories of my Uncle Leslie.”

Another niece, Mary Holder, from Bournemouth, revealed that Leslie had sung for Isobel Baillie, a well-known soprano in the 1900s, having taken the place of his brother, who suffered from stage fright. He also sang in Wells Cathedral as part of the choir.