Brother and sister reunited after 72 years apart
An incredible tale of how a Staffordshire man was reunited with his family after being separated at birth warmed the hearts of millions of television viewers this week.
Geoffrey John Tonks, aged 74, was given up by his parents in 1944 when he was just 18 months old.
Barbara Jacobs, of Southampton, wanted to find her long lost brother, and the pair’s powerful story aired on ITV’s Long Lost Family on Tuesday evening.
Barbara, 72, found out about her brother when they were in their 20s and was determined to find him.
She discovered their mother Bessie had a romance with a soldier based in the West End and gave birth to Geoff in 1944 while her husband, Frank, was away at war.
Adoption
She raised him alongside her two other sons but when Frank came home he was shocked and gave her an ultimatum – leading Geoff to be put up for adoption.
Barbara wanted to track him down to tell him that he is still loved and that their mother did not want to give him up.
Mr Tonks was taken into care by Barnardo’s and, at the age of seven, was adopted by a bus driver called Harry Tonks and his wife Violet.
He met his wife, Wendy, at college and they have been together for 50 years with two grown-up children.
He later lived in Cannock and owned owned GT Auto Electrical in Drummond Road, Stafford, for 20 years.
Better late than never
During the pair’s emotional reunion, they embraced before he kissed her on the head.
Geoff told Barbara: “It has been a long time – better late than never.
“I have just got to tell you how important this day is for me. Knowing that you have been searching and looking for me. I would have done some searching but I did not want to be rebuffed twice. I am stronger now knowing that I have got a sister. I appreciate that. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
He added: “I never thought this would have happened. It is hard not to cry. I have got Barbara now. I have got a sister and I am wanted. That bond straight away, you realise it was there. You can feel the warmth in her hand when you hold her and she feels the same.
“You can look her in the eyes and you can tell straight away that it is there.”
Barbara said: “Seeing how happy Geoff is, I just feel a weight has been lifted.”
Search
Barbara was three years old when her mother died so could not turn to her for answers about Geoff but embarked on her own search.
She reached a dead end when she ordered her brother’s birth certificate, which had been amended to say he’d been adopted.
He was discovered after the ITV team worked with a specialist social worker who was legally allowed to access the change of name records for adopted people.
They discovered his first name had been kept but his last name had been changed. After this, they scoured through electoral rolls and discovered he was living in Staffordshire.
After they got in touch, they discovered he was the same man.
Nicky Campbell, who presents the show alongside Davina McCall, met with Geoff who told him he knew he had a sister because he accessed his adoption file from Barnardos in the 1990s.
He explained his family was not overly affectionate and he experienced love for the first time when he met his wife, Wendy.
When he saw a photo of his mother he said: “That’s the first time in 73 years I’ve seen my mum, I will treasure that.”
