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. Squadron Leader SK. Khanna (raF, retired) writes from York: ‘In July 1960, 14 young, hopeful, excited and nervous Fleet air arm officer cadets came together at HMS Thunderer, the royal naval Engineering College in Plymouth, to begin basic training prior to gaining a commission.
‘We were the “Campania” term and were to be the last intake ever to train at that establishment. My photo shows the motley crew, with me (I was known as Jim) sitting second from the right in the front row.
‘after successfully completing the course, those of us hoping to be pilots went to raF Linton-on-ouse in York to begin flying training and follow our dreams.
now, some 56 years later, having retired after a career in the Fleet air arm and the raF, I would like to re-establish contact with any of my surviving ex-colleagues who, like me, will be in the autumn of their lives.
It would be wonderful to do a bit of reminiscing. I hope you can help me fulfil this long-held wish.’
The names of Jim’s fellow cadets are: T.J. Perrin, J.r Smith, n. Tyler, J.E. nicholls, d.a.L. Sheen, H.W. Tennant, C.a. robertson, b.E. rowley, J.M. Heath, a.a. Suggitt, C.a. Skillett, M.dS. Lines and I. b. dunlop.
Step forward, gents. Per ardua ad astra, and all that.
AS NEIGHBOURS growing up on the same street in Maidenhead in the Seventies, Jeanette rodgers and Valerie blaine were best chums.
as Jeanette told us: ‘We’d spend evenings at each other’s houses, playing our pop records (our favourite was gilbert o’Sullivan). We earned a little from babysitting for local kids, but spent it as soon as we got it!’
In 1982, Valerie married a german lawyer she met on holiday and moved to Stuttgart.
‘We wrote to each other for a while,’ said Jeanette, ‘but what with various house moves and us both being caught up in our busy lives, then starting families, we eventually lost touch.
‘now we’re both approaching our 60th birthday, I knew it was time to try to find Val again and learn how her life has worked out.’
With a bit of digging around, my brilliant sleuths managed to track down Val’s brother dennis, who lives in West London, who put Jeanette (whom he remembered fondly) in touch with his sister.
Jeanette sent us this update: ‘Val and I had a long, lively phone chat. She lives in Munich now, is still married to Walter and has two sons. I fly out to visit them this spring with hubby rob. I can hardly wait. Thank you so much.’
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.