The fascinating story of a passionate wartime affair between a handsome Italian prisoner of war and a mysterious Scots farmer’s daughter has led to a race against time for Armando Terni to find a secret family member... before it’s too late
Armando Terni.
Armando believes the little boy on the bike is his secret half-brother. The other pictures show his father Gino and the mysterious farmer’s daughter. never told me about this child in Scotland. My parents both died in 2001 and I cannot explain why they did not tell me anything, because I would have been happy to know.
“When I learned of my halfbrother I was astonished, but immediately I thought of looking for him.
“I would be very happy to find my brother in Scotland, I am hoping he is still alive. I’d like to know if he was aware of his father being in Italy, if he is married and had children, if he has had a good life. “I know it is a very sensitive subject, but I have a great desire to know him.
“If he was found I would be willing to come to Scotland, although right now I have no chance as I am unemployed.
“To see him or have some news would make me the happiest person in the world!”
As Armando speaks no English, he has enlisted the help of friend Grace Carrick, from Biggar, in tracking him down.
Grace said: “I live locally in Biggar and decided to take up the challenge of trying to find details of Armando’s halfbrother. The problem is he doesn’t know the name of the family or even the farm his father worked on.
“Many of the l ocals in Thankerton and surrounding areas who might have known the family are sadly now gone.
“ThThe bboy iin questionti may now be dead or have moved away from the area. He may well have even emigrated like so many in the 1950s. Who knows?
“It is not a unique story by any means. So many of these things happened during the war years and the secrets were never disclosed.
“But it would be a marvellous ending to a story if, after more than 70 years, Armando could make contact with his half-brother.”
If you have any information that could help Armando find his long- lost brother or his f a m i l y, email cstrathie@ sundaypost. com or call 01382 575799.