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 in Cannonbury Avenue, Pinner. I’ve found teammates John Chinnery and Neville Thompson, but we’d love to meet up with others.
‘My photo was taken in late 1966 or early 1967. It shows: back row, from left — referee (whose name I cannot recall), Brian Collinge, me, Nigel Palmer, reg Harrell, Ian and Nev Thompson; front row — Steve Senior, John Chinnery, Nigel Franklin, Phil Salmon and Colin McMullen.
‘Others not in this photo who played in the 1967-8 season were Tom Brownlow, gordon Atkinson, John Phipps and Chris ramsden. John, Neville and I are still young at heart and follow sport avidly.’
Now, Nigel Franklin has emailed: ‘I’m the one in front with the ball at my feet. I remember well playing at the Croft. It would be good to meet Martin.
‘I enjoy your column very much — what a surprise to find myself in it!’
Steve Senior has also been in touch and is keen for a get-together. And our supersleuths Jeff Pinson and David Kilby are on the trail of a few others. A sporty reunion is definitely on the cards.
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.