MY name is Les Smith and I served in the Royal Horse Guards In Cyprus 1957 to 1959.

I started a project just over four years searching for the relatives of the 372 men who died in Cyprus to tell them that their loved ones have not been forgotten by their comrades and that we now have two memorials in their memory, a large one in Kyrenia Cyprus and a smaller one in The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

Also to let the families know that since 2009 the next of kin are entitled to receive The Elizabeth Cross.

One of the families that I am searching for is that of Pte Harry Ralph Hayes, who is one of the 372 British servicemen who died in active service during the four-year Cyprus emergency from April 1 1955 to April 18 1959, and whose name is among those remembered with honour on the British Cyprus Memorial.

Serving with the RA Veterinary Corps he died on June 27, 1958. Aged 21 from Newton-le-Willows Lancs he is buried at Wayne’s Keep, the British military cemetery in Cyprus, Plot 25 Row A Grave 6.

I know that Harry lived near the The Oak Tree Inn Crow Lane East Newton le Willows and have reason to believe that he had a younger sister Jacquline born in 1945 who I think married a Frederick W Main in 1966.

I would like to hear from anyone who can help me contact Henry’s family.

Also from anyone who served in Cyprus during the 1955 to 1959 emergency, e-mail cyprusveterans@ gmail.com.

LES SMITH Rainford