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.
‘ in 1950, i worked at a solicitors’ firm in essex street, off the top end of the strand in London,’ writes Griff Loydd.
‘The firm’s name was Park Nelson & Co, and my close pal there was Michael Buckley, who was about 17 at the time, the same as me.
‘We were termed young law clerks, and our duties included the normal admin work in the reception office, plus taking money to nearby banks such as Coutts on the strand. We lads were trusted with vast amounts of money during those trips!
‘every lunchtime, Mike and i would walk down to Lyons Corner house at the end of the strand for a three-course lunch plus coffee, which cost us 2 shillings and a penny — the equivalent of about 20p in today’s money.
‘Mike and i worked at the firm for just one year, so i didn’t get to learn much about him. When i joined the RAF in 1952 for National service, i sort of lost contact with Mike. My surname in those early days was Jones, but, in my later life, i became a professional actor and changed my name to an unusual variation of Lloyd.
‘i semi-retired from acting in 2006, when my wife died. i’m now 83 and would dearly love to know what became of my old friend Mike.
‘Your columns are so very interesting and it is admirable you provide connections between lost friends and relations. Long may you continue to do so.’ TWO months ago, Martin hadland told us: ‘i’m trying to arrange a reunion of Canon united FC, a football team that played in Pinner, Middlesex, in the sixties.
‘We played in a local league on sunday afternoons and our home ground was the Croft Phipps and Chris ramsden. in Cannonbury Avenue, John, Neville and i are still Pinner. i’ve found teamyoung at heart and follow mates John Chinnery and sport avidly.’ Neville Thompson, but we’d Now, Nigel Franklin has love to meet up with others. emailed: ‘i’m the one in front
‘My photo was taken in late with the ball at my feet. i 1966 or early 1967. it shows: remember well playing at the back row, from left — referee Croft. it would be good to (whose name i cannot recall), meet Martin. Brian Collinge, me, Nigel ‘i enjoy your column very Palmer, reg harrell, ian and much — what a surprise to Nev Thompson; front row — find myself in it!’ steve senior, John Chinnery, steve senior has also been Nigel Franklin, Phil salmon in touch and is keen for a and Colin McMullen. get-together. And our super
‘Others not in this photo sleuths Jeff Pinson and David who played in the 1967-8 Kilby are on the trail of a few season were Tom Brownlow, others. A sporty reunion is Gordon Atkinson, John definitely on the cards.