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.
Ray AGGIO writes from Hitchin, Herts, with regard to his old school in Edmonton, North London.
‘I am sending you a photograph of the Huxley Junior School football team in the 1957- 8 season, to which I belonged.
‘We lifted the Edmonton Schools Under- 11 football trophy, having won all 22 matches we played. I’d like to trace as many team members as possible, as it’s coming up to 60 years since we started that memorable season. It would be fantastic if we could meet up again.
‘I know all the players’ names, except one. In the photograph, I’m sitting in the front row, third from the left, with the ball between my feet and looking very pleased.
‘I’ve already been able to contact Roy Webb, who is in the front row at the far right, kneeling. The others are John Murphy, Cliff Woor, Barry Kitteridge, Michael Stephenson, David Loman, Stephen Smith, Paul Williams, Roy Macrow and Neal Wilkins.
‘Most of us went on to the senior school of the same name, while the rest went to grammar schools.
‘I joined Wolves when I left school in 1962, playing professionally for 17 years. Barnet FC was the last club I played for. I then went into retail, and have a convenience store in Hitchin.
‘I no longer play football these days, but keep fit with regular rounds of golf.’
AT THE beginning of the year, we published a letter from Jim grimshaw: ‘I’ve been reading the Daily Mail for years and thoroughly enjoy your Missing and Found stories.
‘Now I seek your help in finding an old school friend called Cyril Moriarty.
‘I was brought up in Swansea and started primary school at St Joseph’s Catholic school in 1948, aged four. I sat next to Cyril, who was the same age, and we were great friends.
‘We explored the nearby woods and canal, played on the tip near the old steel works, then went fishing for sticklebacks with our nets and jam jars.
‘So many happy memories. at 15, Cyril left school, his family moved to England and we lost touch.
‘I often sit and reminisce about those times and would love to know whether Cyril is still alive and where he is. ‘It would be wonderful to reconnect. I’ve tried to find him through Facebook, but with no luck.’ Facebook, Shmacebook! Where Mark Zuckerberg’s behemoth fails, we at Missing and Found succeed. Through the diligence of one of our ace volunteer researchers, the estimable Jeff Pinson, we have been able to reunite Jim with his long- lost childhood chum, Cyril. We love a happy ending!
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.