. . . AND FOUND

IN JUNE, we heard from Bruce Gates, 82, of Bristol. He wrote: ‘I’ve tried without success to trace my football team-mates from RAF Butterworth in Penang, Malaya, in the 1960s. I was posted there in 1963, working with the Royal Australian Air Force as a paint finisher, sewing machinist and safety survival kit packer. ‘In Singapore in 1965, our team won the Far East Air Force Football Championship — it was the first time Singapore’s RAF stations had been beaten for the Cup. ‘My team included my best friends Alan Peacock, Bill Penman, John Leather, Tom Mitchell and Vic Probert.’

A delighted Alan Peacock has emailed, asking us to put him in touch with his old friend, while John Leather writes:

Victory: Bruce Gates (circled) and the rest of the RAF Butterworth team are celebrating success in Singapore in 1965

‘I was speechless when I saw the photo and message from Bruce Gates. I would love to make contact with him.’