The family of an unknown World War I soldier are being traced after rare vintage postcards sent from wartime France were found on a suspected thief.

The intricately embroidered silk postcards – which include flowers, Union Flags and winter or summer scenes, are addressed to relatives in Sutton and are signed from a man with the surname Fleming.

The 30 postcards – dated from 1914 to 1918 – carry simple loving messages reading: “Your Tommy”, “Happy Christmas”, “I’m thinking of you”, “To my dear brother” and: “To my dear wife, from your loving husband”.

Constable Mark Holmes said: “Sentimentally speaking you just can’t quantify how much these postcards mean to someone.

“They’re very distinctive. Someone has lovingly kept these well-preserved and in perfect order.

“I just feel really sorry for the person who has lost these. I’m sure they would be very upset.

“Hopefully, that someone will now identify the fact they are theirs and come forward to claim them.”

A further 18 postcards carry black and white images of scenes from across the UK and carry an embossed marking which reads: “20 Redcliffe Square, South Kensington”.

In neat handwriting the soldier has written on the back of one card to his daughter saying: “Just a card from France. I hope you are a good girl. I think you will think it very pretty. It is the crest of my regiment.

“Well dear, I must say goodbye as I have got to write to Mum. With my fondest love to you, Dad”.

To another unknown family member he has written: “I hope you’re better now. Sorry that you have been so bad. With Dad’s best love. I hope you will feel better with this pretty card. Dad.”

Inspector Andy Brittain said the detail indicates the cards were quite expensive, suggesting the soldier was high up in the army.

The Kensington link also suggests the soldier was based for a time at nearby barracks.

The postcards were found by police after they stopped a cyclist around Woodcote Road and Sandy Lane South near the border with Croydon at 1.30am on Monday, July 19.

In his bag officers found the postcards and a sat-nav, CDs, DVD player, jewellery, coins and a watch.

The man, aged 27, was arrested on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle and was bailed to return to Sutton police station in August.

If you believe the postcards belong to you, contact Sutton police station on 0300 1231212, quoting ref no 3822018/10.

q Do the postcards belong to you? Call the Sutton Guardian on 020 8330 9541 or email jkennard@london.newsquest.co.uk.