Brother and sister reunited after 67 years after chance remark in village shop

Jack Allen was separated from his nine siblings when he was fostered at just four weeks old in March 1940, shortly after World War Two broke out.

Born Joseph McIver to unmarried mum Josephine McIver and father Douglas MacDonald, Jack was fostered as a baby, before eventually being adopted at the age of seven by Frank and Christine Allen from Birmingham.

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Jack's sister Pat Collins, 75, remembers her last few moments with her baby brother in 1940, before losing all contact with him until now.

Pat and two of her sisters have always remained curious about their missing brother and have spent years searching for him.

It was only during a chance conversation between Pat's daughter Carole Dzierozynski and her 'neighbour' Jack in the village of Rendlesham, near Woodbridge, that the family link was uncovered.

Carole says, "I have known Jack for three years - everyone knows everyone in the village - and I said to him he had a public school accent.

"He said he actually came from the east end of London and that his name had been Joseph.

"Well, my grandmother was called Josephine and I said 'Your last name is not McIver is it?' - and he said 'yes'.

"I have spoken to him for three years. I have sent him postcards from holidays, he used to bring me presents and a chance remark about his accent reveals he is my mother's brother.

"He did not know he had any siblings and I said you have nine."

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Pat, who lives in Grimsby, was stunned when her daughter phoned her up telling her she had found her long-lost brother.

Pat said: "Two of my sisters have been trying to trace Jack and it was Carole who found him. I could not believe it when I took the call from her.

"I was the oldest child and I was brought up by Josephine's parents.

"I used to go and see her, but I thought she was my sister. After Jack was taken away I never heard of him any more."

The siblings were finally reunited on Friday morning at Carole's house after 68 years apart.

Teary-eyed Jack embraced his sister after presenting her with a bunch of flowers.

Jack said: "This is surreal, isn't it? There was me thinking I was an only child and here I am with my sister ~ and there are another eight siblings."

Jack is now planning to meet the rest of his family, but has sadly missed out on the chance to meet his birth mother Josephine, who passed away in 2002.