LONG-lost brothers could be heading for a surprise reunion after almost 75 years apart.
Ted Nobbs, 79, has not seen his youngest brother Geoff since 1945.
That was the year Geoff was adopted when he was just two years old, after their mother’s death left their father with the challenge of looking after the pair along with brothers John and Barry.
Geoff’s new family then moved to Australia in 1951 – and that was the last he saw of the UK.
Having lost contact for decades, Geoff – who now goes by his adoptive surname Gaul – finally managed to get in touch with his brothers in 2014.
But Harborough Magna resident Ted has abandoned all hope of ever seeing his little brother again.
However, unbeknownst to him, his son Chris is raising money to fly Geoff to the UK as a surprise for Ted’s 80th birthday in August.
Harborough Magna resident Ted Nobbs (left) with son Chris, who is hoping to arrange a surprise reunion with Geoff for his dad’s 80th birthday.
Chris said his dad, John and Barry never forgot their baby brother.
“They tried numerous times to try to find Geoff but the enquiries always seemed to lead to a dead end,” he said. “But in 2014, out of the blue, there was a breakthrough – Geoff managed to track his brothers down.
“Sadly it was too late for John, who died in 2010. But the remaining three were elated to be back in touch, and now love speaking to each other by phone.”
Geoff, who now goes by his adoptive surname Gaul, lives in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.
Chris says it would be fantastic to meet his uncle for the first time.
He added: “I’ve known for many years that Dad has a long-lost brother, so it was amazing when they managed to get in touch again.
“It would be a dream come true to actually meet up again in person, but he’s convinced it’s too late.
“They’re all pensioners now and, with the high cost of plane tickets, they seem to have resigned themselves to it not happening. We’d love to prove that wrong.
“I know how much it meant to Dad and Barry to just be back in touch with Geoff, so if we can pull it off, I can only imagine just how emotional that surprise reunion would be after all these years!
“We’ve planned to go out for a big family meal in August for Dad’s 80th, so if Geoff could be there too, the whole family would be able to meet him – it would really complete the jigsaw.”
Ted’s wife Ann added: “When Geoff eventually found him and Barry, Ted was absolutely over the moon – he said it was like winning the lottery.
“For them to all meet again would be a real dream come true.
“And remember – please don’t mention anything to him, it’s a surprise!”
The family is hoping to raise £1,000 to cover Geoff’s return flights to the UK.
Visit www.tinyurl.com/y5kmhs2b to donate.
