The York telephone directory has brought a family back together after 35 years and put a son in touch with his mother, who he feared was long dead.

Peter Riley, 69, who was born at Overton Cottages, near Skelton, lost touch with his four brothers and sisters during the war but made the trip from his home in Australia to try and find them.

"My wife Marion helped to persuade me and so we have taken a six-month holiday to look for them," said Peter, who is now in touch with his three surviving siblings.

"But I didn't realise it would be as easy as picking up the York telephone directory and finding my brother Ted's name and address.

"And after I met up with him I got the biggest surprise of all - my mother is still alive and lives just around the corner."

Peter's wife, Marion, said his reunion with his mother, Amy, 89, was emotional.

"He was really shocked to find out she was still alive and it was really interesting to connect Peter with his mother - he is so much like her.

"She is a lovely lady and one of the first things she said was '30 years and no letter?' "

Peter's father Sidney was a prisoner-of-war for four years and his mother had difficulty coping with five young children alone and eventually they were evacuated from York.

The 11-year-old Peter was sent to Dumfries and lost touch with the rest of his family, although he did move back to York and worked at Temple Brothers Cycles, on Holgate Road for 15 years.

"I would occasionally see my eldest brother Ted," said Peter, who now lives in the Hunter Valley.

"But one Saturday I was standing in the shop window and I thought there are 52 Sundays in year when I can ride my bike and it rains for 25 for them and I just decided to go.

"I went to Leeds and booked the first flight I could to Australia - Ted thought I was crazy but things have worked out for me."

But while Peter was starting his own family in Australia he lost touch with Ted in England and says he is overjoyed to have met up with him again.

"We've done the job we came to do," said Peter.

"Now Marion and I can go home happy."

There is only one loose end Peter is keen to tie up, his father, who died of tuberculosis shortly after the war, remarried and had a second family. Peter is keen to try to trace his half-brothers and sisters and would like to hear from them or anyone who knows of them.

Peter can be contacted on (01904) 330651.

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