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 FOLLOW the Missing And Found section and see how successful it is in finding old acquaintances, friends and colleagues,’ writes Michael Cavilla. ‘So I was wondering if you could help us in our search.
‘We are a group of Army Cadets (now in our 60s and 70s) organising a reunion for next year and looking for old members. Our group met at 86 Fulham High Street in London from 1958 onwards.
‘Originally, the Army Cadet unit was P Battery, 254 royal Artillery, which morphed into D Company, 1st Cadet Battalion KrrC.
‘We would particularly like to contact Harry Parker, John James Margiotta, Keith Brooks, Arthur Lupton and any past member interested in meeting up with their contemporaries for a beer and a chat.
‘Many great friendships were formed during those teenage years, what with meeting three times a week at the drill hall and camps at Army establishments for infantry training.
‘We enjoyed the freedom away from our parents’ gaze.
‘The get-together would also be a unique opportunity to thank roy Thorn, our CO, who did so much for us.
‘I realise how many requests you must handle, but I am hopeful that you can help us and continue the success of the service.’ LAST spring, Jim Colborn, of Lowestoft, Suffolk, was looking for his best mates from his early years in the Manor Park area of east London.
‘They are Bob Chesney and Syd Tilletts,’ he wrote. ‘I was born in 1941 at the height of World War II and, as a toddler, I was the early warning alarm when the doodlebugs went over. I’d run along the street, shouting: “They’re coming!”
‘I went to Cornwell School (named after Jack Cornwell, the boy seaman who stood by his gun and went down with his ship during World War I), where I met Bob and Syd.
‘As I was a quiet, shy lad and Bob was tall and well-built, he looked after me, saying: “If anyone bothers you, just let me know.”
‘We remained friends for a while after leaving school, bodybuilding together, dancing at the Ilford Palais, and holidaying together in Margate and Jersey, before losing contact.’
We were able to reconnect Jim with Syd, and they made plans to meet up. Alas, we heard sad news from Bob’s family — he died eight years ago. But Jim was glad to be able to exchange photos and memories with them.
Now, another old friend, Peter Pincott, has come forward: ‘I immediately recognised the three lads. Like Jim, I was born in 1941, grew up in Manor Park and went to Cornwell School.
‘I wonder if he and Syd remember me? I’d be most happy to communicate with them if they wished.’