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’ve been trying to trace old RAF comrades who served with me in 5131 Bomb Disposal Squadron from February 1954 to September 1955,’ writes John Blower of Nantwich in Cheshire.
‘We were a small group and our HQ was at RAF North Coates in Lincolnshire, where we trained for six weeks as bomb disposal armourers. We were later detached to various RAF stations to clear old World War II bombs, mainly jettisoned by aircraft returning from sorties.
‘The stations I was posted to were Martlesham Heath, Hornchurch, Dettling, and Feltwell in Norfolk.
‘ Now in my 80s, I can remember only a few names: Tam McKay from Aberdeen, ech Muirhead from Glenrothes, Ian Ramsay from Dundee, Ian Wrigglesworth from Crowthorne in Berkshire, and Percy Metterick from Huddersfield. It would be great to get in touch with any of them before my memory goes forever!
‘ I’d be grateful for your help. My service number was 2703683 — it’s odd how I have never forgotten that!
‘My photo shows part of my bomb disposal squadron and was taken at RAF Feltwell in 1955, when we were clearing a bomb site near Thetford.
‘I was called up for National Service in 1953. After demob, I returned to Rolls-Royce to complete my apprenticeship and was employed by the firm for the next 37 years, finally retiring in 1992.’
IN FEBRUARY, Catherine eileen Saar, a former schoolteacher aged 87, wrote from Canterbury: ‘ My father, Arthur Jacobs, from the age of 15 belonged to the eton Manor Boys’ Club in Hackney Wick, which had wonderful sports facilities on the Hackney Marshes.
‘He was an amateur boxer and later became the club’s boxing instructor.
‘After World War II, several of the men from the club became close friends of our family, including Joe Collins, Joe Cowley, Joe Rood, Harry Busby and Len Baxter. evenings at my parents’ home were spent chatting and singing, with me at the piano.
‘After I got married, I no longer saw these friends and in 1967, the club closed. In my photo, Dad is on the left, Harry Busby in the centre and Joe Rood on the right. Nostalgia has prompted me to ask for your help in finding my long-lost friends.’
First up was an email from Peter Wilson, 70, ex-member of the club: ‘My father was Taff Wilson, who was a manager of the club and knew Arthur Jacobs. I think Joe Cowley and Joe Collins have passed away, but I’ve emailed other older members who might remember Catherine.’
Steve Baxter wrote: ‘My father, Len Baxter, was mentioned in your article and I’m contacting you on my mother’s behalf. She knew Arthur Jacobs and would like to speak with Catherine.’
We also heard from Joe Lloyd, another erstwhile club member, who says he knew Catherine’s father well.
Joe Rood Jr. emailed: ‘Sadly, my dad passed away in 2003. But I still have some of his boxing mementos.’
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.