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Our Dad was and still is somewhat of a mystery to us, he was always there in our lives and although he fathered six children he kept his parentage a secret from us all. He died in 1992 and mum found his birth cetificate behind a radiator. He told us he ws born in Scotland so you can imagine our suprise when we found out he was born in the Isle of wight.
He used to tell us he only had 2 sisters one of which died when she was young the other one he said lived in Scotland, when he was dying I promised him I would find her if only he told me where he came from. He did give me his parents names and his sister Isabel's name but again said he was from Scotland.
Unfortunatley he died before I could find her but with the help of my husband we set about trying to fulfill his wish.
Once we found his birth certificate my Hubby took me across to the Island for a week. I expected to come home with a whole new family, what I never expected to do was gradually piece my Dads very sad and lonely life together and I definatley didn't expect to find out he had more family than I expected. Dad had another two sisters he had never mentioned. Their birth certificates were there in front of me in black and white. The people on the Island were as helpful as their memories would let them, and although there were no relatives left their I came back with the determintaion that I would reunite him with all his lost sisters. That was back in 1997 since then Dads life has taken me on a magical journey and allowed me to see and understand who my strong and wise dad, who always new the answers was as a person. With the undying patience of my wonderful hubby we set out on trying to piece together my Dads life. Born on the Isle of Wight in 1924 at 10 Clarence Road, East Cowes. The name on his certificate was Herbert William Roberts, although we thought his name was William Herbert, his parents names were Phyliss Sabina Roberts nee Bullen and Charles Roberts. One year later his sister Doris Valerie was born and then came Marian 1928 died 1930 then Phyliss Jeanette Mary 1930 and last of all Isabel Carlin Roberts in 1932. I tried to search for Isabel first as she was his favorite. After six year of brick walls we eventually tracked her to Australia. Unfortunatley she had died four years before but I found her daughter who knew a little of the background. She said that when my grandfather was away Phyliss took all the children from the Island to Scotland where she abandoned my father who was 14 and Isabel who was 6, asking them to wait for her she left them to sleep under a bridge. Dad stole bread and was caught by the police, beaten up and Hospitalised he had to tell them about his 6 year old sister still hiding under the bridge, they were evacuated to live with a lady called Minnie Mcketchney. Dad being the damaged teen he was he ran away and joined the Merchant navy by forging his age, he ramained in the Navy for at least the duration of the war. I also tracked down where Phyliss went as well she remarried and had more children. Amazingly the other children never new untill I contacted them that Phyliss was married before. I don't know whether Charles was violent but I do know that there must have been a reason for her to keep this a secret and I wonder if she ever thought of her other children? She did manage though to keep one of her othe children with her Phyliss jr.
All these years though I have never been able to find Doris we sumised that she was probably abandoned as well. somewhere in London we think she was left with her mum's sister also called Doris who Married an Alfred Groves. We know that when they left the Island they resettled in Feltham as that is where Phyllis' Father Herbert Alfred Bullen passed way in 1937, the person who registered the death was Alfred Groves.
I do know however that I will keep seaching for my Dad's lost sister and alive or dead I will find her. The best thing about this search is that I have traced the Bullen side as far back as I can go with a little help from Genes reunited and also thanks to this site I'm back in contact after 20 years with my Big sister who is now on a quest to help me with my search for Doris. Thank you my darling Margi I love you loads, also my little Sister has joined in as well Thank Jules Love you too.
Whether all this information I have is totally correct I am not sure as memories can sometimes be sketchy. but this is what I have managed to piece together.
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