THEY’VE sought him here, they’ve sought him there – they’ve sought him just about everywhere. But moves to find a picture of a former head of one of Swindon’s largest schools have drawn a blank.

Now Kingsdown School is to press ahead with the publication of a book marking its 75th anniversary without a photograph of the elusive Iain Millar after a major search and appeal drew a negative response.

Instead of showing a photo of Mr Millar, alongside those of the six other heads who have presided over the school since its foundation, there will be a blank space with a question mark.

“It’s frustrating but no one has been able to come up with a photograph of Mr Millar,” said the school’s community manager Lesley Bayliss.

The book, which will feature more than 100 photographs, along with recollections and snippets of information, should now be available in around two weeks.

The idea of a book charting the history of the Stratton St Margaret based school, entitled The Kingsdown School Story…So Far began last year when events to mark the landmark anniversary were held. The original aim was to produce a modest leaflet with a dozen or so photos but an appeal for material through the Adver and by word of mouth drew a huge response.

The project eventually grew into a book of 60 or so pages charting Kingsdown’s expansion from a five- room school in 1937 to well over 55 teaching spaces today, focusing on everything from school trips and plays to charity and sporting events.

One thing rankled though – the absence of an image Mr Millar who was headteacher at Kingsdown School from 1968 to 1974.

During his tenure he encouraged staff and pupils to stage a variety of plays, and was happy to become the voice of The Wizard of Oz in 1971.

He also led a school trip to Belgium in about 1970.

It is understood that he died aged 71 in Weymouth in 1986 but extensive attempts to trace any relatives have failed.

Retired Kingsdown science teacher Bob Pixton, 65, who is putting the book together, said it was surprising that not a single image of Mr Millar had emerged.

Three weeks ago the Adver launched an appeal on behalf of the school but that too drew a blank.

Former Swindon councillor Mr Pixton, who taught for 36 years at the school said: “I have searched high and low for references to Mr Millar with the aim of finding a photograph.”

He hoped former pupils who went to Belgium with the head 42 years ago might have some snaps of him from the trip. But so far, nothing has come to light.

Mr Pixton has trawled through records at the Wiltshire and Swindon Family History Centre in Chippenham, local libraries and the Wiltshire county archives.

He has also been through the tank regiment documents, but again without success.

Mr Millar lived in Down Ampney but appeals in Gloucestershire newspapers have proved fruitless.

Mr Pixton even visited Plymouth where Mr Millar was married, to see if the local newspaper had a picture of the happy couple on their big day. Alas, no.

The book – expected to be priced at £5 – is set for publication on Friday, July 19 when pupils stage a 1940s tea-party after head-girl Kamya Gopal gained a £300 O2 community grant in order to stage the event.

Anyone with a photo or information on Mr Millar – or knows someone that does – is asked to contact Miss Bayliss. Anyone wishing to attend the 1940s party should 01793 837152 or email bayliss@kingsdownschool.co.uk