Hello all again,

With time, you can do anything.  If you want the solution
to this, this is what I found:

This macro would run, from an point before the document
is for example printed.  Or could be behind a toolbar
button.

Identify where the reference field starts and pass in the
details.  I am assuming the refernce field is on its own
line.  If not you would need the MoveEndUntil function

...
strOurRef = TrapTheReference("Our ref:")

If strOurRef = "" Then
  strOurRef = TrapTheReference("Our reference:")
End If

.

Function TrapTheReference(strSearchText As String) As
String
   
 Dim strSelectedText As String
 With Selection
     .Find.ClearFormatting
         With .Find
             .Text = strSearchText
             .Replacement.Text = ""
             .Forward = True
             .Wrap = wdFindContinue
             .Format = False
         End With
     .Find.Execute
     .MoveRight Unit:=wdCharacter, Count:=2
     .EndKey Unit:=wdLine, Extend:=wdExtend
     .MoveLeft Unit:=wdCharacter, Count:=1,
Extend:=wdExtend
 End With
 strSelectedText = Selection.Text
 Selection.MoveRight Unit:=wdCharacter, Count:=1
 TrapTheReference = strSelectedText
End Function

It seems to do the trick.  Hope you find it useful and
something to build on.  Don't forget any error handling
you may need.

Cheers

John J.