Bag lost for 65 years found in Egypt desert

Irene Porter, 75, of Brunshaw Avenue, Burnley, was amazed when she was told that her brother Alex Ross's army bag had been discovered near Cairo.

Alex, who died three years ago, was a dispatch rider in Egypt during World War Two.

He lost his bag in 1942 while riding in the desert and thought that it, and his belongings inside, had been lost forever.

The bag was found by Halid Mackram, a tour guide in the Cairo area, who noticed it under a thin layer of sand.

Inside he found letters written to Alex by Irene and other members of his family as well as some of the soldier's belongings.

Irene said: "I was gobsmacked when I heard that Alex's bag had been found after 65 years and that it was in such good condition.

"The bag still contains all the letters that I sent him and the rest of my family sent as well as photos of the family, a spare cap and his army equipment.

"I just wish he was still alive to have heard that the bag was found."

Halid contacted one of his regular tour guests, Geoff Kolby in Scotland, to try and track down the owner of the bag.

Geoff searched on the internet and found an article written by Irene on Radio Lancashire's website about her thoughts of the war.

He contacted the radio station who then put him in touch with her.

Irene added: "I was so amazed by the way that the bag is making its way back to me after so long being lost in Egypt.

"Geoff sent me pictures of the bag and the belongings.

"I was really surprised to see letters written by myself at the age of eight.

"I was also shocked by the excellent condition of the bag and the belongings.

"It's amazing to think that Halid wasn't even looking for the bag, he just stumbled across it.

"It was not buried deep in the sand even after 65 years."

Irene is now trying to raise sponsorship to fly Halid to England so that he can return the bag to her.

She said: "I think I might be too old to go to Cairo now but it would be really nice to bring Halid and the bag to Burnley."