Evacuee’s appeal to track down old friend

Nov 22 2007 by Dominic Jones, Gwent Gazette

AN ENGLISH pensioner has reached out to the Blaenau Gwent community to help him find his childhood friend.

In 1943 Graham Jones was evacuated to his aunt’s house in Mount Pleasant Road, Ebbw Vale, from his home in Kent.

It was there that he struck up a friendship with Bernard Ayland, who was 12 years old at the time and lived in Bridge Street.

Mr Jones, aged 75, of Dartford, Kent said: “Bernard just knocked at the door and asked if I was coming out to play.

“We used to spend hours playing football in the street.”

Mr Jones said that Mr Ayland played a massive part in his life at the time, particularly in welcoming him to the area and offering him friendship.

After returning to Kent, Mr Jones kept in touch with Mr Ayland, even returning to the valleys to visit his treasured friend – a gesture which Bernard returned by travelling to Kent.

Mr Jones said: “He was working in Ebbw Vale steelworks at the time.

“Bernard married a woman called Joan and had two children.

“We met up in Tredegar and went out to have a game of darts and a drink.”

The pair lost touch some time afterwards and Mr Jones is desperate to find the whereabouts of his friend.

Father-of-two Mr Jones, who lives with his wife Carole, said he has tried to track down Mr Ayland through his family members in Ebbw Vale but has had no luck.

He said: “I was hoping that someone in Ebbw Vale could help me.

“He had a great influence on my life and I would really like to find out what has happened to him.”

If you can help Mr Jones with information about Bernard Ayland, can you telephone reporter Dominic Jones at the Gazette on 01495 304 589 or send an e-mail to dominic.jones@mediawales.co.uk