A PONTYPOOL-born TV presenter will star in a documentary after unearthing an incredible World War Two story from an antique suitcase.

Jenni Crane, 35, bought the suitcase when shopping in Crystal Palace, London, with the intention of using it as decoration and storage for her shoe collection.

When she discovered the name Rev GEM Parry written on the item, she set off on a remarkable journey to discover the life of a military chaplain “unlawfully” killed on D-Day.

After spending 18 months researching the story, Ms Crane will make and present a BBC Radio 4 programme about the forgotten soldier, speaking to cosmologists, and antiques experts while searching for family members.

Ms Crane’s father is Pontypool historian Arthur Crane and she believes that the urge for fact-finding “is in her blood.”

Ms Crane said: “Being an actress and presenter makes me a good researcher and finding out about the man took a great deal of persistence.

“I think the story has been long forgotten for 75 years and will find a new voice with the discovery of these memories.

“Parry’s father was Welsh and lived 20 minutes from Pontypool in Llangattock Lingoed and it is thought that the suitcase was used in World War One too.”

Ms Crane left Pontypool when she was 18 years old to study at the Italia Conti Academy in London and has teamed up with media company Blokmedia to produce the documentary.

Alongside the radio documentary, Ms Crane has started a campaign to get recognition for Padre Parry and will meet minister of state and deputy leader of the House of Lords,The Rt Hon. the Earl Howe, alongside interviewing Army chaplains.

She said: “My curiosity has unearthed the most remarkable story and I am so proud to be able to bring this man’s brave story to light.

“So, the next time you are throwing something away, or in a charity/antique shop, do some digging- you never know what treasure is there to be found.”

Ms Crane also has aspirations to make the story into a feature film chronicling Rev Parry’s journey and advises any “budding screenwriters to get in touch.”

The programme will be broadcast in 2016 and will also see Ms Crane head to Normandy to visit Rev Parry’s grave. Rev Parry, died aged 29, on D-Day while serving with the 6th airborne division and was killed while defending wounded men during a German raid on a medical aid post.

If you have any information on Rev Parry or ex-military chaplains contact Ms Crane on 07952817665.

To sign Jenni’s petition isit change.org and search ‘Padre Parry.’