Army Major John Perryn found buried under Aldingham Church in 2010

The whereabouts of Brevet Major John Perryn’s grave had puzzled some residents in Aldingham for as long as they could remember.

A stone cross that said Major Perryn died on July 22, 1805, had always been visible in a hedge between St Cuthbert’s Church, Aldingham, and the nearby Moat Farm.

MAJOR: The cross near Aldingham, pictured in 1990, which marked the spot where Major Perryn fell from his horse and died in 1805

The cross said Major Perryn, a ‘captain in the 12th Regiment of Foot’, died on that spot when he fell off his horse and was buried somewhere in St Cuthbert’s Church.

Robert Wheatley, chair of the church’s restoration committee, had lived in nearby Baycliff for 40 years and had scoured the church, inside and out, on countless occasions trying to find the elusive resting place.

He thought the tomb might never be found, but then carpet fitter Michael Atkinson finally uncovered it.

Mr Atkinson was only there because he had volunteered to fit a new carpet as part of the church’s ongoing restoration.

He was working near to the church altar when he unearthed what had been hidden by a roll of carpet.

PETS: The Rector, the Rev Peter Humpleby, welcomes Aldingham children and their pets into St Cuthbert’s Church for a special pets service in 1991

Mr Wheatley said: “It solved a big mystery and it’s important we have been able to at last pull all these vital pieces of information together.

“Several members of the committee have been associated with the church for 70 years and have never known of the connection.

"They are fascinated by it.

"We really had no intentions of renewing the carpet because we hadn't got enough finance. But when this benefactor, Mr Atkinson, came along and said he would, the discovery was made."

The grave had been covered over again with the new carpet.

Mr Wheatley thought the proximity of the grave to the altar indicated Major Perryn might have been an important figure.