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.
GLASWEGIAN Hamish Robertson, 85, emails to say: ‘i joined the Glasgow archers Club in 1948. sadly it faded away after the treasurer decamped with the funds of a national raffle.
‘But i was instrumental in restarting the club in 1954 and we had a successful group of archers until i left in 1963. ‘One member, Robert (Bobby) Hall, a joiner, became British champion in 1959 and others became international archers for scotland.
‘i’d love to hear from anyone who remembers those days — and if any of our old trophies can be recovered, that would be a bonus.
‘The club was very busy during the Fifties and sixties. i served on two sports committees for Glasgow City Council, going round school gyms demonstrating various sports together with experts, so locals could form their own clubs at the schools.
‘Besides archery we did weightlifting, trampolining and anything else the community wanted.
‘in 2009, i was driving down Haggs Road, on the west side of Glasgow, and saw some archers practising. i went to see what was going on and was surprised to find it was my old club still thriving.
‘when i told the members of my connection, they welcomed me back. i was glad to be shooting again, even though my shoulders aren’t up to lengthy spells.
‘i was proud to be given a framed certificate of my founding father status and hope to continue enjoying archery as long as i can.’
a COUPLE of months ago, John Gosden, of aylesford in Kent, told us:
‘in september 1957, five 16year-olds and one 18-year-old met for the first time when, as new apprentices, they were assigned to the same room in the Rolls-Royce apprentice hostel at the Knoll in Derby.
‘They were myself, John Gosden from Kent, John shepherd from loughton, essex, norman naylor from liverpool, Terry Morrell from north wales, Michael Brown from sittingbourne, Kent, and peter Beaumont from london.
‘i’m still in touch with norman and pete, but i believe Terry died young.
‘i have lost touch with John shepherd and Mick Brown. i’d love to hear from them, and from any other apprentices staying with us at the hostel.
‘My photo shows, standing left to right, norman naylor, John shepherd, me and pete Beaumont, and sitting left to right, Mick Brown and Terry Morrell. The Knoll was a melting pot and country boys like me picked up a few tips from the city lads. we learned to drink beer, ride motorbikes and ballroom dance. after a year at the Knoll, we moved into individual lodgings. Good days with happy memories.
‘afterwards, as a Rolls-Royce trained draughtsman, i had no problem getting a job, which happened to be in the new plastics industry, where i remained in technical management roles until retiring in 2006.’
Brian Gohl got in touch: ‘i, too, was a Rolls-Royce apprentice in 1957, in the same hostel. please forward my details to John Gosden, as i have photos of the ’57 intake which will interest him.’ Done!
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.