A VETERAN of the first Gulf War is campaigning to repatriate the body of his great uncle from a First World War military graveyard in northern France.

Recent pro-Iraq vandalism at a nearby military cemetery has prompted Neil Jones to try to bring back the body of William Fernley and have it reburied in Agecroft Cemetery.

Neil, 49, of Truro Close, Bury, was horrified to see TV pictures of British war graves in France vandalised soon after the outbreak of the war in Iraq. Fearful of further attacks, Neil is has now launched a camaign to bring home his great uncle's remains.

Corporal Fernley, the brother of Neil's maternal grandfather, is buried at St Sever Cemetery in Rouen. A corporal in the Royal Artillery, Neil's great uncle died, aged 21, on October 26, 1918, just weeks before the Armistice.

Neil said: "I feel it's time for us to bring him home.

"When I saw how the French had desecrated the graves of British soldiers who gave their lives in World War I, I was absolutely disgusted. If those men had not given their lives the whole of Europe would have ended up under German rule, and this is the thanks they get. It makes me sick."

Neil comes from a military background and served as a sergeant for nine years in the Royal Engineers, including fighting in the last Gulf War.

Neil has spoken to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission about his plan but initially has been told that it is not their policy to to repatriate remains from war graves overseas, unless in expectional circumstances.

However, he is continuing to win support and has the backing of the Royal British Legion, although they concede it would be difficult for him to carry out his request.

"My aim is to bring my great uncle back and have a reburial with full military honours in Agecroft Cemetery. He was born in Salford and his brother and relatives are all buried there.

"My mother and grandfather are also there, so this would be the missing piece of the jigsaw for our family.

"At first the War Graves Commission said he should be left in France, but after the desecration recently at a nearby cemetery in Calais, I feel more strongly than ever that he should come home."