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. Matt Southall, 82, of Caerleon in South Wales, writes: ‘My National Service began at RaF Padgate in hednesford, Staffordshire, in November 1951.
‘h Squadron hednesford was a tough spell; November and December on Cannock Chase. My only break was three days leave for Christmas.
‘Passing out was in January 1952, as best of the four squadrons. I had never shaved until Drill Corporal Whitworth told me to or else!
‘I became a radar operator, which turned out to be a great job.
‘Next was No. 2 Radio School at RaF Yatesbury in Wiltshire. It was like school, but a happy one. one day we were unexpectedly ordered to the Parade Ground immediately, where the Co announced: “the King is dead — long live the Queen.” Very quietly we went back to our billet.
‘When we became radar operators, we signed the official Secrets act and travelled to RaF Wartling in East Sussex.
‘the camp was split into four domestic sites. We had the jewel in the crown: site D in herstmonceux. It was perfect: on the edge of the village, 300 yards to a cinema, 50 yards through the hedge to the Welcome Stranger Pub.
‘there, the landlord allowed new airmen two halves of strong Merrydown cider.
‘Every weekend we saw big bands play in Bexhill-on-Sea or Eastbourne. It was exciting, the height of the Cold War. after National Service, I worked at the Ministry of Civil aviation. happy days!
‘My 1952 photo shows RaF pyjamas at their best. Please try to find any of these young airmen for me. I have met only three since our demob on Bonfire Night 1953.’ JaNE StaCKhouSE, nee Sheridan, was looking for her long-lost school friend Elizabeth Carr in July.
‘I lost contact with Elizabeth in the early Seventies and have been trying over the years, but without success, to learn her whereabouts,’ Jane told us.
‘She was born in liverpool in 1946. I met her when the family moved to the Sheffield area and she started at Dore C of E School when she was seven.
‘We went on to high Storrs Grammar School for Girls and travelled to school together on the bus every day, in all weathers. We’d walk a mile in deep snow well over the top of our wellies to catch the bus.
‘We had great fun together. We were members of the 125th 1st Dore Guides and my photo was taken in 1957: she is on the left of the back row and I am on the right of that row.
‘that year we attended the Baden Powell Centenary Camp at Bretton Park.
‘I would be thrilled if you could help with my quest to find Elizabeth. I read the Daily Mail every day!’
our excellent voluntary researcher Marigold Cleave did some digging and found Elizabeth living in Rutland.
Jane updated us: ‘Great news, the information from Marigold, including a phone number, turned out to be successful.
‘Initially, there was no answer to my phone calls, but yesterday morning Elizabeth answered and after she got over the shock of hearing from me, we spent 40 minutes reminiscing. We hope to meet in the near future.
‘Many thanks for publishing my story; I am so pleased to have my friend back after 50 years!’
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.