THE mysterious death of a WVS volunteer from Blackburn during the Second World War is now being researched.

Phoebe Mercer, from Pleasington, drowned in Bangkok in November 1945, as the battles in the Far East continued, although peace had been declared in Europe.

Now, the girls’ boarding school she attended in Staffordshire is putting together a war service record of all its old girls and wants to find out more about her.

Abbots Bromley School (pictured, top right) is also planning to commemorate her sacrifice on a special memorial in the chapel.

Born in 1903, Phoebe lived at Merecroft in Mavis Road.

Her father was Thomas Turner Mercer, son of a master grocer, who employed eight men and three boys in the Pleasington district.

She started at the school, then known as St Mary and St Anne, in September 1919, leaving two years later after passing her school certificate.

This photograph from its archives for 1921, could show Phoebe, bottom row right, as it lists the name Mercer on the back.

Phoebe joined the WVS in the early days of the war and was among the first party to go to the Far East to provide welfare work among British troops.

Early in her career she had been a Blackburn district organiser, then a divisional representative and finally a travelling officer for the service.

She was also a keen golfer and well known in golfing circles.

Her name is listed on the WVS roll of honour, with her entry reading ‘accidentally drowned in Bangkok, Siam’.

Chris Ecclestone, who is carrying out research for her old school, told Looking Back: “This project concerns the war service of old girls, recording details and, where possible, photos from the war period.

“Perhaps someone somewhere knows all about her death, as this is still a mystery and maybe has a photo of her.

“We plan to commemorate Phoebe’s name, along with other girls who died in the war in the school chapel.”