Dunedin artist Sam Sharpe recently uncovered a ''real treasure trove'' of World War 1 memorabilia and family mementoes during his daily second-hand shopping expedition.
The suitcase of photographs and documents at Dunedin second-hand store ReStore caught Mr Sharpe's attention about a fortnight ago.
Among the family mementoes were the war diary, postcards and photographs of Private Alfred George Perry.
The Dunedin soldier was killed in action near Havrincourt, France, on September 29, 1918, during the last days of World War 1.
''It's such a shame that it ended up getting donated to an op-shop and has nothing to do with the family,'' Mr Sharpe said.
He understood the suitcase was dropped off by a man who discovered it when he moved houses.
Mr Sharpe hopes he can reunite it with the family.
''If someone came forward and said this is my grandfather, I'd be quite happy to give it to them,'' he said.
Mr Sharpe said he visited the second-hand store daily, but the suitcase stood out. The suitcase appealed because, despite being a pacifist, he was interested in war memorabilia.
Once he sat down with the suitcase he ''realised how involved'' its contents was.
''There's probably four generations of family memories in here,'' he said.
''It probably stops in the late 80s.
''It's just a real treasure trove.''
The suitcase contained hundreds of photographs, as well as marriage certificates, divorce documents and diaries.
''It's quite eerie sitting down and going through it all,'' Mr Sharpe said.
''It's someone else's life right back to birth certificates from 1897.''
If family members did not come forward he would approach Toitu Otago Settlers Museum about the suitcase.
Its contents also referenced Jack Perry, Brian Perry and Pte Perry's mother, Hilda, among others.
