Geology Graduate Reunited with His Lost Compass—60 Years After Misplacing It!
By Community Correspondent
A former Geology student at the University of Leicester has been reunited with his compass after around 60 years, after it was found in a charity shop with a note to return it to its original owner.
Volunteers at Martock Charity Shop were able to reunite David L Bruton with his missing compass with the help of staff at his old department at the University.
The story begins when the School of Geography, Geology and Environment received a call from a volunteer at the Somerset charity shop, explaining that someone had donated a very old compass belonging to a PhD student named David L Bruton.
But the real story began some time back in 1960s, when David started studying Geology at Leicester, and misplaced his trusty compass.
Now an emeritus Professor and retired author at the age of 86, Professor Bruton said:
“The story of my long-lost compass is most fascinating, but there are gaps in my memory as to when and where I was at the time of losing it. It could have been when I was doing individual mapping or when on a Leicester field excursion in Somerset. Our Professor, P.C. Sylvester Bradley, was originally from the area and took us on excursions to study the rocks and fossils there.
“I was originally gifted the compass 70 years ago, and it became very handy when I later became a student of Geology at Leicester.”
The compass, tucked away in a well-handled leather pouch, was discovered in Martock Charity Shop, Somerset, by volunteer Val Ford, who first discovered a ragged discoloured piece of paper when she took the donated treasure to be valued.
To her amazement, it read ‘David L Bruton, Department of Geology, University of Leicester. If found, please return. Reward given.’
“Rather than sell it, we thought it would be nice to return the compass to its rightful owner. It's been quite a conversation piece with the volunteers in the shop. We all felt that as the compass had been so well used, that it must have been an important item to its owner. We agreed it was worth going above and beyond to get the compass home.” Val explained
Matt Dishman, Administration Assistant in the School of Geography, Geology and Environment, was the point of contact for both Val and David, and helped to make this all possible.
Matt said:
“I was able to get in touch with Professor David Bruton thanks to our Geology Professor, David Siveter. They are good friends and Professor Siveter coincidentally visited Professor Bruton the year before in Oslo, so was familiar with his whereabouts. Professor Siveter provided me with Professor Bruton’s email and within a week I was in contact.
“Our alumni community is immensely important to us, as they remind us of the journey our departments have taken and the great work they have done to support us. They are an inspiration to our current staff and students, and those still to come, and we always love to maintain a good relationship with our alumni, which is why getting back in touch with David Bruton was so special!”
On a sunny August afternoon, Professor Bruton’s compass completed its final voyage home.
He and his wife Anne opened the much-anticipated parcel on the veranda of their 1890s house in Oslo, Norway. Their youngest son Karl was present and took photographs.
Professor Bruton said: “It is just as I remember it. I wonder when and where it was found...”
Val and the volunteers at the Martock Charity Shop loved the pictures of David opening the compass.
Val said: “It was all worth it to see David’s and his wife’s expressions. We would also like to thank them for their donation to the shop, which helps children within our community and surrounding areas in the South West.
“We hadn't realised how many decades had gone by since David mislaid his compass, but we're so pleased it's now been returned. A magical memory has been made for all concerned in this adventure.”
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