Reunited after 70 years - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh pensioner reunited with sister

A LEIGH pensioner was reunited with his sister after having been separated for 70 years.

Alfred Ardener, 82, met his sister Margaret, 87, for the first-time since the 1940s, last year.

Mr Ardener said: “It was lovely sunny day when I finally met my older sister Margaret.

“After 70 years of searching it was amazing. Margaret and I met in Devon, and it was like we had always known each other.

“We talked and cried, shared photos, and talked some more. It was a magical day.”

Very sadly, weeks after their reunion, Margaret passed away.

Mr Ardener added: “I am so thankful for it now as sadly, Margaret passed away a few weeks later.

“In some way I feel robbed again, but I also feel very lucky that we managed to find each other at all.

“I thank the researchers at Finders International for finally locating us and making this possible for us both.”

The reunion came about after their other sister Mabel Ardener died alone aged 84 in Worthing Hospital, Sussex, in August 2021.

When it was discovered that she did not have a will, had never married, nor had children or known relatives, Finders International were drafted in to track down any relatives Mabel may have had, to inform them of her death and inherit her estate.

Mr Ardener was 17 days old when his mother died in 1942, leaving behind him, his three sisters Violet, Mabel, and Margaret, alongside their father William Ardener.

Violet sadly died two years later, aged five.

Their father William was abusive, and was eventually sent to prison.

At this point, the family was “scattered,” as Mr Ardener explained, and since then, he has lived his life without being in contact with his remaining siblings, but always harboured a hope he would find them.

He added: “For as long as I remember I have been searching for my sisters. I asked older relatives where they were and what happened, but I never got anywhere.”

Mr Ardener is now in regular contact with Margaret’s son, his nephew, and both feel they are benefiting enormously from this newfound family relationship.

Finders International is the UK’s largest professional probate genealogy firm and is involved in the BBC TV’s Heir Hunters series.

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