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. AN OLD school friend has never been forgotten.
‘Out of the blue, I received a letter about a reunion for pupils of Strode’s School (now college) in Egham, Surrey, from 1958 to 1966,’ writes reader Frank Gerschwiler, of Ealing, West London.
‘I was there from 1960 to 1964, when I was known as Fred.
‘I don’t know how the reunion organisers found my details as I’ve moved around a lot and have not kept in contact with anyone from the school.
‘A 60th anniversary reunion has been planned for November. However, the list of those invited does not include my best friend at that time, John Burrell, and no one knows his whereabouts.
‘John’s parents ran a shop in Station Road, Addlestone, in the early Sixties, then another shop in Thames Street, Weybridge. ‘In 1968-69, John was working for Metal Box in Essex, but we lost contact after that.
‘I’ve been told many of those going to the reunion remember me!
‘Perhaps that’s because I organised for a bunch of us to go to The Beatles’ Christmas Show at Finsbury Park Astoria in 1963.
‘I joined the motor industry after graduating from Imperial College in 1969 and worked on engine emissions. Now 72, I am retired and enjoy travelling the world.
‘My house has a souvenir from the Gleneagles Hotel in Torquay — the illuminated sign from the entrance. The Monty Python team spent a few weeks there in 1970 and it inspired Fawlty Towers.’ THE reunion of a pop band has inspired former school friends to make contact. A few months ago, Tom Terry, of Nuneaton, Warks, was looking for his former bandmates in the Sixties group, the Toledos.
‘We all went to William Penn comprehensive school on Red Post Hill, Dulwich, South-East London,’ he wrote.
‘My photo shows John Needham on bass guitar, Brian Epsom on rhythm guitar, Martin Booth on drums and me on lead guitar.
‘We played tunes by The Shadows and other artists of the time and got gigs in pubs and at weddings.
‘We also played support to a couple of famous bands such as Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages, and Brian Poole and The Tremeloes, at the Savoy in Catford, South London, and the Pavilion Ballroom in Gillingham, Kent.
‘The group broke up in 1963 and I haven’t seen Martin, John or Brian since the Sixties. I’d dearly love to get together again with my old bandmates.’
We reported all the Toledos have been found. Now comes a further update. Reg Millward tells us: ‘I read with great interest about the Toledos. I also went to William Penn and remember all four.
‘I’d love to make contact and exchange memories.’
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. A small donation will be requested for employing Gill Whitley’s services.