Brothers reunited after half a century
A LEVENMOUTH pensioner has travelled to the other side of the world for an emotional reunion with a brother he hasn’t seen for more than half a century.
A 13,000-mile journey ended with Eddie Paterson knocking on his brother George’s door in Mittagong, Australia.
It was a fantastic 72nd birthday present for George and – as Eddie revealed – it was the first time they had set eyes on each other since 1955!
”It was first thing in the morning and George was still in his pyjamas,” said Eddie (73) from Methilhill.
”He thought it was the Mormons or something!
”It took him a wee while to recognise me, but then he said: ‘Eddie?’.”
Once George had recovered from the shock of the surprise visit, the brothers set about catching up on more than 50 years of each others’ lives.
Retired miner Eddie explained that he and George hadn’t had it easy in their early life.
Before they had reached the age of five, both were taken into care in a Corporation Home in Glasgow.
They enjoyed happier times together being brought up by foster parents on a croft near Peterhead.
But, when working life beckoned, circumstances conspired to separate them for more than half a century.
While Eddie moved to Fife to work in the pits, George joined the Gordon Highlanders.
Eddie and his wife Willa were married in 1954, and his wee brother paid the newly-weds a visit before joining the ranks of the ‘Ten-Pound Poms’ – British citizens who took advantage of a cheap travel scheme to boost the population of Australia.
Some time after George’s move, Eddie discovered he had two sisters he previously knew nothing about.
But, apart from a very occasional phone call or Christmas card, he had no contact with his far-flung brother.
That separation ended on April 6, when Eddie, his son Eddie jnr and grandsons Ben and Edward appeared on George’s doorstep.
”We’d never exchanged photos in all that time, so we had no idea what each other looked like,” said Eddie, who said he’d been moved to make the momentous journey after hearing that George had gone through an operation for cancer.
”I was surprised that he recognised me at all.
”We spoke about the old times when we were brought up on the croft.
”He still remembered all the things I remembered, so we had plenty to talk about.
”George has a strong Australian accent now!”
Following their happy reunion, Eddie and George are set to stay in closer touch.
But only time will tell if they will ever meet face-to-face again.
”It was all very emotional – especially when we were saying goodbye,” said Eddie.
But he added: ”It was well worth the journey to see him again after all those years.”