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 have tried and tried to trace a school friend called Carolyn Francis, but have just drawn a blank everywhere,’ writes valerie Newby.
‘She and I went to school together at Broadgate School, Nottingham (no longer operating). her father was in the army and at that time they were based in Beeston, near Nottingham.
‘But when we were leaving school in 1958 or so, her family moved to Beaconsfield, Bucks. I understand there is (or was) an officer training college there so that may have been the reason for the move.
‘I remember she had a sister called Clare (I doubt if it is the famous round-the-world yachtswoman, but one never knows . . .)
‘My maiden name was Lyon and I lived at Upper Broughton, a little village between Nottingham and Melton Mowbray (where the pork pies are made).
‘I’ve tried Facebook, Friends Reunited and other websites to find Carolyn, but without any luck.
‘I now live in North Marston, Bucks, and am 74. Carolyn must be the same age as me, as we were in the same form at school.
‘We were good friends, often visiting each others’ homes although we lived on opposite sides of Nottingham.
‘If Carolyn reads this, I can remind her I had two brothers, one my twin Iain and the other a younger brother called Rod. My mother died of breast cancer when I was 12, so I lived with my father at the time we were friends.
‘I was always sorry that we lost touch and I do hope we can get back together.’ a FeW months ago, alan Johnson was wondering where his cousin vivien might be. (But he’s not any more!)
‘We lost contact in the late Sixties,’ he told us, ‘and I’ve tried and failed on numerous occasions to ascertain her whereabouts.
‘She was born in Cambridge in 1943 to edward and Daisy Johnson, although family rumour has it she may have been adopted. They lived on Cowper Road, Cambridge.
‘viven married Reginald Watson in 1964. They lived in Luton and had a son, Stuart, in 1967. I visited them often, but when I married in 1969, we lost contact.
‘We do know Reg and viv separated at some stage, but after that we have no further information.
‘The photo shows my parents, harold and vi Johnson; viv’s parents; viv and myself in 1957-8. My family was on a caravan holiday at Great Yarmouth and viv and her family joined us for the day. viv was then about 15.
‘We lived in Bedford and viv and her parents often visited us on a Sunday. She liked music and dancing. In fact, she still has one of my Cliff Richard records! It would be fantastic if you could find her.’
and so we have. alan updates us: ‘Yippee. Great news. I managed to reunite with viv thanks to you and your team.’ (I seem to have acquired a few brilliant and eager researchers out there, lucky me!)
‘I looked up the address I was given for viv and it came up with a number. I risked calling it and who should be on the other end but viv.
‘She was very pleased to hear from me, we chatted for half an hour and will meet soon for lunch and a much longer chat. Many thanks.’
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.