A WAR veteran is appealing for help to trace the relatives of four Glasgow men who were killed while serving in Cyprus.

Les Smith is searching for the families of 372 young men who died during the 1955 to 1959 emergency, including 47 from Scotland.

The 80-year-old, who served in Cyprus with the Royal Horse Guards (The Blues), wants to find the next of kin of Private George Cullen, Driver James Duncan Neil, Sergeant Alexander Stuart Sutton and Corporal George Fergusson.

Mr Smith’s search has been supported by Glasgow’s Lord Provost Eva Bolander, who, in her role as Lord Lieutenant, recently awarded the Elizabeth Cross to two families affected by the conflict.

She said: “It’s important that families receive recognition of their loved-one’s service. Conflict visits great costs on everyone who loses a member of their family.

“It’s my privilege and pleasure to be able to present these Elizabeth Crosses. I know it’s a source of great pride and comfort to those left behind.”

James McManus, 74, the brother of leading aircraftman Joseph McManus, who died aged 19, and Robert Boyle Mathieson, 60, the son of Private James Boyle, who died at 21, accepted the medals at a ceremony in Glasgow’s City Chambers.

Their relatives, who were killed in road accidents, are buried at Wayne’s Keep, the British Military Cemetery in Cyprus.

Joseph, known as Joe, was born on March 11 1937 to Peter and Annie McManus from Blantyre. He had five siblings - Ann, Margaret, Kathleen, Christine and James.

Robert, the son of Private Boyle, was less than six months old when his father died and grew up, in Castlemilk and Bridgeton, knowing nothing about him.

His mother Margaret, known as Greta, remarried. He remembers coming across the Telegram about his dad’s death when he was around four.

However, it was only listening to the radio that he learned about the Cyprus Emergency and heard his father’s name, piecing together his story.

This included finding out his father, who was born in October 1935, had brothers and sisters - Margaret, Elle, Mary, Dominic, Thomas, Henry and Francis, the children of John and Elizabeth Boyle.

Robert, who runs the Kilt Centre in Hamilton, said: “This medal is the catalyst to continue my investigations into my father’s past. I’m looking forward to finding out more.”

Mr Smith is looking for relatives of another four Glasgow men who tragically died in the conflict.

Private Cullen, 18, was killed on June 9, 1956, while serving with the Highland Light Infantry. Driver Neil was 19 when he died on September 25, 1956.

RAF Sergeant Sutton, 39, from Kelvingrove, died on May 27, 1956 and Corporal Fergusson, 20, from Govan, who served with RAF Nicosia, was killed on March 27, 1959. If you can help Mr Smith, contact him at cyprusveterans@gmail.com