AFTER more than 56 years apart, a former Swindon resident is hoping they will be reunited with his long-lost father in Swindon.

Malcolm Reid grew up in Swindon, but when his parents separated, he and his mother, along with his younger brother, Melvin, moved to Llantwit Major in Wales.

But Malcolm has never given up hope of finding his father, Hugh Reid and has recently been led to believe he might still be living in the area.

“I feel like there has always been something missing from my life," said Malcolm. I want to make sure my father is ok and let him know that there are no hard feelings. "It’s all water under the bridge now. If he wants to meet me, then I’m prepared to meet him.”

When Malcolm began looking for information about his father, six years ago, his searches didn't throw up any information on his whereabouts and he was met with constant dead-ends.

At that time, Malcolm was living in Australia and contacted RAF Wroughton, the base where his father had worked as an aircraft engineer, but discovered it has now been demolished.

Despite Hugh receiving a medal from the Queen for his work with the RAF, Malcolm was unable to find out any further information about his father from either the RAF or MOD.

“It was like looking for a needle in a haystack,” said Malcolm.

Three years ago, after experiencing a heart attack, Malcolm decided it was time to start his search again, this time from the UK, and he has since had a little more success.

He recently wrote to the Adver for help and posted an appeal on the Wroughton Facebook page.

From this, he has discovered that his father is most probably living in North Swindon and has a granddaughter, Karen, from his second marriage to a woman named Marge Ponting.

Malcolm got in contact with Karen, who informed him that his father married for a third time, a woman named Phyllis, and that she believes they are now living in North Swindon.

Malcolm would like to track down his father's current address so that he can write to him to ask if he would like to meet up.

“I would like to be able to talk with him," said Malcolm.

"Whether he wants to talk to me or not, I just don’t know. If he doesn't then I’ve wasted a lot of time looking for him, but at least I’ll know that I’ve tried, and there will finally be a conclusion to this.”

If you have any information that might help Malcolm in his search for his father let the Swindon Advertiser know on 01793 501793 and we will pass on the information.