IT was an act of supreme compassion amid the horror of war. American soldier Wilbert Estabrook held Darwen Royal Marine Gerard Ahern in his arms as he died in a squalid Korean prisoner of war camp.

For 50 years, Wilbert hoped that one day he would be able trace the soldier's relatives to share his memories of his bravery.

Wilbert, of Murrieta, California, became good friends with Gerard (known as Jerry) after he was shot and captured.

Now he has finally found a way to trace them after being put in touch with the 41 Independent Commando Association, based in Plymouth.

And it has appealed, on his behalf, for help in tracking down anyone who knew Mr Ahern, who lived in Brook Street, Darwen.

It is known that Mr Ahern volunteered for service in August, 1950, with 41 Independent Commando Royal Marines, which was formed to support the United Nations in the Korean war. They carried out amphibious raids into North and South Korea before becoming part of the United States First Marine Division. Mr Ahern was taken prisoner by the Chinese Communist Forces and died in his early 20s.

He had been held captive in a PoW camp on the border of North Korea and China, near the River Yula.

Fred Hayhurst, from the commando association, said: "What happened to him remained a mystery to us for nearly 50 years. On the night of November 29, 1950, Jerry was captured and was separated from the other Royal Marines taken prisoner.

"We know that despite being wounded he was forced to march with a group of US marines into China. Days and nights were spent in the open with no shelter or medical treatment for the wounds and frostbite.

"After a few weeks the group was marched back into Korea to a PoW camp run by the North Koreans.

"In the camp was a much larger group of prisoners, who had been captured in South Korea within days of the North Korean invasion and the capture of Seoul.

"When Marine Ahern arrived in the PoW camp he was befriended by Wilbert, who has never forgotten him. Wilbert would dearly like to contact and possibly meet any relatives of Gerard."

In a letter Wilbert, who now in his 70s, wrote: "Jerry Ahern, the only British soldier with us, died in my arms.

"He had been machine gunned. Both his legs and feet were riddled with bullet holes. Without medical attention Jerry was a doomed man.

"He died like a man, far away from his beloved England. He was among friend and we loved him like a brother."

Anyone who knew Mr Ahern should contact Fred Hayhurst at 3 Caernarvon Gardens, Plymouth, PL2 2RY.