MISSING . . . and FOUND!
THE DAILY MAIL offers readers a unique opportunity to re-establish contact with long-lost relatives and friends. Each week, MONICA PORTER features the story of someone trying to find a missing loved one, as well as a tale of people reunited. This column is produced in conjunction with the voluntary tracing service Searching For A Memory, run by Gill and John Whitley.
‘I AM trying to trace an old friend and I wonder if you can help,’ writes Roy Booth, a retired firefighter.
‘His name is Peter Geddis and we both came from Feltham, Middlesex.
‘Peter became an actor and had a few small parts in films, on stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company and in adverts. I believe he was in the first Star Wars film.
‘We lost contact some years ago and I have tried to find him, but to no avail.
‘We met in our teens when we worked at a woodworking firm (I think it was called Collingridge Ltd) in Feltham, where we made ladders for the building industry.
‘Peter and I were members of the Lower Feltham Youth Club’s drama group, run by the Greek film and TV actor Steve Plytas.
‘I lost touch with the drama group in 1956, when I was posted to Cyprus to do National Service.
‘After I was demobbed in 1958, I returned to Feltham, but the youth club had closed down, so there was no more drama group.
‘At the time, I managed to contact Peter and he came to my 21st birthday party in November 1958.
‘I’ve heard that he might have moved to Kent. I’d love to meet up with Peter again and see how his life has worked out .’ ReTIRed Squadron Leader S. K. Khanna wrote from York: ‘In July 1960, 14 excited and nervous Fleet Air Arm officer cadets came together at HMS Thunderer, the Royal Naval engineering College in Plymouth, to begin basic training prior to gaining a commission.
‘We were the last intake to train at that establishment. My photo shows the motley crew, with me (known as Jim) sitting second from the right in the front row.
‘Now, 56 years later, after a career in the Navy’s Fleet Air Arm and RAF, I’d like to re-establish contact with any of my surviving former colleagues. It would be wonderful to reminisce.’
Jim’s fellow cadets were: T. J. Perrin , J. R. Smith, N. Tyler, J.e.Nichol ls, d.A.L.S he en, H.W. Tenn ant, C.A.Ro bert son, B.e. Rowley, J. M. Heath, A.A. Suggitt, C. A. Skillett, M. d. S. Lines and I. B. dunlop.
We’ve heard from John Nicholls, still in touch with Ian dunlop, who reports that Robin Smith was killed in a flying accident in a Sea Vixen launched from HMS Hermes in 1967. We located d. A. L. Sheen, but heard from the widows of Craig Robertson and Brian Rowley that they have passed away.
Mike dugan, on the course before Jim, remembers him, and tells us Angus Suggitt passed away last year.
‘Angus and I often reminisced about our cadet days and he always had some stories about Jim,’ he says.
IF there is someone you would like to trace, write to Gill Whitley, 1 Newbrook house, New hall Lane, Preston, Pr1 5Pe, enclosing an SAe, or send an email to monica.porter@dailymail. co.uk — including a contact phone number. All communications will be answered as soon as possible. this column is researched with the aid of Peopletracer (www.peopletracer.co.uk). A small donation will be requested for employing Gill Whitley’s services.