A member of the 1st Barnsley Pals, the 24-year-old colliery worker from Stairfoot, was killed by a shell as he served on the front line in France in 1917.
Harry Gove was posthumously awarded three medals and now, almost 100 years later, his descendants are desperately trying to track them down.
Harry was the great great uncle of Barnsley businessman Melvin Newton.
Melvin, who owns Mel's Motor Spares, Carlton, understands the medals were sold by another family member some time in the 1980s.
With the help of his daughter Rebecca Richardson, Melvin found a website and tracked down a collector who had bought Harry's British war medal. It was inscribed with his name and the collector agreed to sell it to Melvin.
But there are still two more missing medals that he is anxious to trace.
Rebecca explained: "My dad remembers his great great grandma telling him all about Harry and it is very important to him to try to get Harry's medals back- especially as we approach the anniversary of the First World War.
"We believe Harry would have wanted his medals to be with his family and would love to hear from anyone who may be able to help us track them down."
Anyone who can help should call Rebecca on 07921226416.
