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. HERE’S a tale of derring-do. Philip Wycliffe-Jones, a retired civil engineer from Christchurch, Dorset, writes: ‘My daughter, Elaine, found a long-forgotten item at the back of a drawer.
‘It’s a testimonial from the Royal Humane Society, awarded after I saved a young girl from drowning. My family is urging me to try to find out what happened to her.
‘In July 1962, I was on holiday at Croyde Bay, Devon, with my wife and two small daughters. We were on the beach when I realised people were trying to reach someone who was out of their depth and being swept out to sea by the strong current.
‘Forced to give up, they sent for the Coastguard.
‘I was a strong swimmer with life-saving training, so I felt compelled to try to save this girl, who was about 13.
‘Despite the rough sea, getting to her was the easy bit. I then had to get her out of the current into calmer waters and back to shore.
‘I later received a letter from the Chief Constable of Hampshire about the award, which was presented to me in Winchester in March 1963.
‘The letter contains the only clue — the girl’s surname was Beech. I’d love to know what happened to her.’
SADLY, it has not been possible to reunite two old friends, but their daughters are delighted to have been re-introduced to each other.
Val Wilkinson, who has terminal cancer and has been told she has only months to live, was desperate to trace Jean Belmour, with whom she lost contact 20 years ago.
Val’s daughter, Tracey Kemp, wrote: ‘From 1986 to 1993, Mum worked in the ladies’ designer wear department at Selfridges on Oxford Street, London, where she became friends with Jean.
‘The two of them loved fashion and a party! They had so much fun and good times together, going to the races at Ascot, lunching in Covent Garden and attending Christmas parties and lots of fun evenings out with their colleagues.
‘Jean lived in North London with her husband, Les, and then moved to Chislehurst, Kent, which was closer to where Mum lived in Bromley. Jean had two daughters, who also lived in the area.’
Researchers Jeff Pinson and David Kilby traced Jean’s daughters, Sharon and Elaine. Unfortunately, Jean died six years ago, soon after her husband.
‘I had a lovely chat with Sharon about what fun our mums were together back in the day, and the mischief they got up to,’ says Tracey.
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.