IT was a delight to help from Brian Hosier, a US Army veteran from Phoenix, Arizona.

Brian served as a medic in Iraq and received a rather unusual gift upon his return to the States.

He was given a book from an antiques emporium called The Brass Armadillo - a warehouse sized mega-collection of antiques and collectables that groups of people have put together.

And this is where Dorset comes in - it seems as though the book, called The Rhymes of a Red Cross Man, originates from Maiden Newton, near Dorchester.

In the front of the book is written 'E.A.E Mellish, Shatcombe, Maiden Newton'.

Brian said: "I searched a little and found an old census from 1891, the Mellish family had a daughter named Emily and a son named Ellcote."

Now Brian is appealing to Looking Back readers for more information about the Mellish family.

He writes: "I'm not really hoping for much and maybe this is just a way I'm trying to connect in these crazy times, but if you knew what direction to point me in or any bits of info that would be greatly appreciated. This book means a lot to me because I connected with the author, but it would be wonderful to not let it be forgotten where it came from."

If you have any information, email joanna.davis@dorsetecho.co.uk and we'll pass it on to Brian.