Is this man a former soldier?

In today’s case (Click Here for the Video Version of this article), we have an unidentified white European male found in Southampton in an area of woodland near the A35/Burgess Road. It was the 19^th of April 2024 just before 7pm when police discovered his body. He is believed to be between 60 and 75 years old, give or take a year or two and he was 5 ft 7 ins tall which is 172cm in height and was of slim build. Unfortunately, I cannot give details on the unknown mans eye colour due to decomposition of the body.

It seems the unidentified male was sleeping rough and was found with several items that may indicate that he may be a former soldier or may have been known to charity groups associated with the forces.

He had a help for heroes band on his wrist and enamel Royal British Legion poppy attached to a well worn army style rucksack. Which shows the respect he had for our forces and for this reason I feel we need to highlight his case to show our respect.

Sadly, it was found the unidentified male was sleeping on an army style sleeping bag and he also wore clothing that indicated he may have suffered some financial struggles before he passed. We know he wore a red hoodie, with a dark coloured top along with two pairs of beige waterproof type trousers with zips at the bottom with black socks and a pair of black smart school type shoes which were well worn.

Earlier reporting from the BBC says the unknown male had short grey/white hair but the missing persons unit says the unidentified male had light brown hair. I am unsure if this means the unidentified male had light brown hair that was greying or if the BBC misreported this. We do know the male had a long grey/white beard which would be very recognisable to anyone who knows him.

Tattoos

1. A bird figure like a phoenix on the left arm.

2. Heart, Rose, Scroll, Leaves (Inscription Maybe AW) on right arm.

3.A Skull with a Hat, Red Eyes and Hair on his left arm.

The Meaning and origin of these tattoos are not yet known, and this is where my community (you) come in. I want you to spit ball ideas on what these tattoos may mean, although sometimes tattoos can have no identifying meaning it may tell us more about this unidentified mans personality.

Things to ask yourself or a friends is,

1. Do you know the style of these tattoos
2. Do you recognise the artist associated with these tattoos
3. Are there any cultural or religious meaning to these tattoos?
4. What do you think they mean?
5. finally, share these images, ask a community on Facebook, twitter or other social media sites or even share them with a local tattoo artist and get their thoughts.

Spit balling ideas keeps the conversation going, it spikes the interest of newcomers interested in true crime or missing people.

You can find the case details here on the UK Missing Persons Unit (UKMPU)or read below for a raw description. Please be advised that the missing persons unit website contains sensitive images that some viewers my find disturbing.

Gender, male

Age range, 60 – 75

Ethnicity, white European

Height, 172cm (5 ft 7 ins)

Build, slim

Body or remains, body

Circumstances

Male found 19/04/2024 in Southampton in a wooded area near A35/Burgess Road. He was lying on top of an army style sleeping bag under a bush and appeared to have been sleeping rough.

Hair, light brown

Facial hair, full beard

Eye colour, Unknown

Distinguishing features

Tattoo – skull – Left arm – A skull with a hat

Tattoo – bird – Left arm – A bird figure similar to a phoenix

Tattoo – heart – Right arm – Heart with a rose and leaves

Clothing

jumper – hooded – red – unknown – Red hoody/hoodie

shirt/blouse – t-shirt – dark – unknown – Dark coloured t-shirt

trousers – unknown – beige – unknown – Two pairs of trousers made of waterproof type material and had zips on the lower legs.

hose – socks – black – unknown – Black socks on

footwear – shoes – black – unknown – Well-used school shoes type smart shoes

Possessions

Army style rucksack in very poor condition to which an enamel RBL poppy was attached. Was wearing help for hero band.

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