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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Dan Warburton

A hug that took 77 years as brothers finally reunite after being separated from siblings

Sobbing with joy, two brothers who were separated as ­children finally embrace 77 years on.

Geoff Nobbs, 79, was one when he was adopted and taken away from siblings Ted, Barry and John.

Their mum Florence died of cancer in 1945, aged 30, and dad Albert felt he couldn’t cope with working his demanding job and raising all four boys.

Geoff’s new family then moved from Northampton to Australia in 1951, when he was seven, and over the years he tried to trace his brothers.

Meanwhile, back in Britain, they also tried to find him over the decades.

And moving footage captured the moment their long searches finally paid off as Geoff and Ted, 83, met at Sydney Airport.

Brothers Geoff and Tedd were reunited after more than seven decades apart (Michelle Gaul / SWNS)

Geoff can be heard saying in a thick Aussie accent: “You all good mate? As soon as I saw you walk down there, I thought it was you.”

Geoff, who lives just south of Sydney, managed to track his birth family down in 2014, four years after John passed away.

He sent Barry, 81, a letter and they all began talking.

The story of the reunion made headlines and touched hearts – and the next step was to stage a proper reunion.

Sadly, Barry is too ill to travel. But Ted, of Rugby, Warks, flew out last Tuesday.

The retired factory worker said: “I never thought it would happen. There were a few tears shed.”

Ted at home in Warwickshire with a picture of him and his brothers as children (Anita Maric / SWNS)

And Geoff, who has eight children and eight grandkids, said: “To think I’ve finally met my brother, it’s just beyond me”

Ted’s son Christopher, 48, from Coventry, added: “It’s a shame all four brothers couldn’t be part of that big reunion hug but I’m sure there’ll be plenty of photos, videos and memories to share with Barry when dad returns.”

Barry, from Ripon, North Yorks, said: “I’m happy for them but quite envious of Ted being able to go.

“It’s heartbreaking as I just want to give him a hug – but it’s lovely Ted will be able to. I’m just glad we’ve found him after all these years.”

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