Mystery of the second world war ‘trophy’ and the Royal Court founder

When George Devine's family discovered a Japanese battle flag among his belongings, it led to a three-year quest for answers

I am not a man for soldiering, although I do tolerably well at it in a very minor role. But there is nothing about it that pleases me, and much that offends ... It is a corrupter of morals in the widest sense and a gross waste of man's time and effort."

These words were written by George Devine, the actor and founding artistic director of the Royal Court theatre, in a letter to his wife from Burma, where he served in the second world war. The views he expressed reflected what his family - and many in the arts world - regarded as his essential humanity and compassion.