PHOTOGRAPHS taken at a war cemetery in Italy may help the descendants of a fallen Bournemouth soldier piece together their family tree.

Cyril Saunders, 71, travelled to the Commonwealth Cemetery in Assisi with his wife in July to visit the graves of soldiers who passed through his hometown of Blackfield in the New Forest.

He returned with information about Roy Archibald Saunders, a Bournemouth solider who served with the fourth battalion, the Hampshire regiment.

The book of remembrance at the cemetery in Assisi contained many details about Roy Saunders.

"It gave his army number as 5505695, and said he was the second son of Fred and Mary Saunders, from the Bournemouth area," said Mr Saunders.

Further information was printed on the headstone.

"Roy was killed on July 1 1944. He was 29," Mr Saunders added.

Another clue gained from the Italian cemetery was details of the soldier's wife.

"He was listed as the husband of Doris Ellen Saunders from Thorp hamlet, near Lowestoft in Norfolk," said Mr Saunders.

The Hampshires had an illustrious history, beginning in 1881 with a merger of the North and South Hampshire regiments.

They fought during World War Two in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Greece and north west Europe, winning three Victoria Crosses.

In 1946, they became the Royal Hampshire Regiment.

Photographs of the Commonwealth cemetery have yet to be printed.

"I've taken digital photographs of the setting of the cemetery. If there is a relative, I would be happy to pass them on," said the retired submariner.

Mr Saunders made the trip in search of the history of the fallen soldiers who left his village to fight in the Second World War.

"It was an emotional experience from me. I grew up in the New Forest village of Blackfield and watched many young lads pass through on their way to war," he said.

And the former radio operator said he hoped the family of Roy Archibald Saunders would contact him via the Daily Echo. "The Saunders are a precious clan - they've got me!" he joked.