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.
Bernard Wild, of Colchester, essex, is hoping to trace his aunt irene.
‘For a number of years, i have being trying to find out where irene is or what has happened to her,’ he writes.
‘Up until 1961, my parents were in touch with her, as we all lived near newcastleunder-lyme, Staffordshire.
‘ However, we moved to Brightlingsea in essex, and over the years gradually lost touch. Since my parents’ deaths, i have started to take an interest in my family tree.
‘Of that generation, the only one left is irene, about whom i know very little.
‘My father’s parents were George and Gertrude Wild. Of their six children, three died very young, leaving irene, Kenneth and my father, who was also called George.
‘according to irene’s birth certificate, she was born on august 9, 1917. But as i can’t find a death certificate for her, could she still be alive? i’ve learned that she worked at Groundslow Hospital in Tittensor, Stoke- on-Trent, in the Seventies, and lived in Stone, Staffordshire, in the eighties. after that, the trail goes cold.
‘i have only one photo of irene, as a bridesmaid at my parents’ wedding in 1940.
‘My cousin averill and i would be very grateful for any information about our missing aunt.’ TWO old friends are delighted to have been reunited.
in January, Jennifer Wright, nee Jessop, was searching for angela applin.
‘in the Fifties, angela and i lived in Chiswick, West london, and went to Staveley Girls’ School.
‘We would go dancing at the Hammersmith Palais, the Castle Ballroom at richmond, and Kensington Town Hall.
‘in 1960, when we were 19, we went on our first holiday to Jersey. i had £100 in back pay — a lot of money then — so we had a wonderful time.
‘My photo was taken at angela’s wedding at Hammersmith register office in October 1960. not long after, we lost touch.
‘i married len the following year and moved to essex. i worked in the civil service and now have two children and eight grandchildren.
‘len and i were married for 48 years until i lost him ten years ago. it would be lovely to meet up with angela after all this time.’ angela saw the column and sent an email straight away.
‘What a lovely surprise to see my wedding photo and to know Jennifer is trying to contact me,’ she wrote.
‘ i’ve been married to Stephen Fasham for 42 years and live in Kent. i have fond memories of Jennifer, we have a lot of catching up to do!’
Jennifer sent an update: ‘angela and i had a good chat and are delighted to be in touch. if anyone is thinking: “i wonder how a friend’s life has panned out,” go ahead and see!’
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. A small donation will be requested for employing Gill Whitley’s services.