AN AUTHOR researching a book on the unsolved murders of eight women several decades ago is hoping readers can assist him in his quest.

Crime writer Neil Milkin is hoping Barry and District News readers will be able to supply him with information concerning the second murder victim – 22-year-old Gwynneth Rees, who was born in Quarella Street, Cadoxton, Barry, in 1941.

Gwynneth’s body was found naked but for a nylon stocking on a garbage dump on the side of the Thames in November 1963.

A post-mortem revealed she had been strangled and several teeth were missing.

Gwynneth was one of eight women murdered in the Hammersmith district of London between 1959 and 1965.

And Mr Milkin is keen to locate a photograph of Gwynneth from her school days at Holton Road school or hear from school friends with memories of her.

Neil, a 56-year-old granddad-of-11 from Abertillery, said: "Her mother Amelia died in 1957 and the following year Gwynneth left home, then at Lower Gladstone Road, Barry and went to work in London.

"In November 1964 Gwynneth's body was found in a shallow grave at Mortlake refuse transfer station.

"Her funeral was held at the request of Gwynneth's sister at Canvey Island in Essex in March 1964, and her father died the same year. "Upon leaving school she had worked as a machinist at a lingerie factory in Barry and also worked at a rope factory in Cardiff.

"Gwynneth went to Holton Road School between 1946 and1956 and was a prefect during her final year.

"I know her father was a painter at Barry docks."

He added: "She had stayed for a while with her married sister Joan Oxley in Canvey Island before making her way to the East End of London about 1959.

"I know she returned to Barry for a short period staying with an aunt (Emily James) but returned to London where she stayed until she was murdered.

"I know while in London she had lived in Stepney from 1959 to1963, then from August to September 1963 she lived in Battersea and from August, 8 1963 until her disappearance at the end of 1963 she lived in Bethnal Green.

"I am convinced that a man called Harold Jones was involved in the murder of Gwynneth and the other seven women, with a former night patrol man who had access to the Heron Trading Estate Acton West London.

"That man’s name is Mungo Ireland and he committed suicide two months after the last victim was murdered.

"I have been able to link Jones to him and to victims two, seven and eight."

Jones died as a result of bone cancer.

Anyone with any information or photographs, should call Neil on 01495 213744 or email n.milkin@sky.com