Where are you now, Lofty? TEN-SHUN! If you're out there lofty Geoff Foster, your old army buddy Alan Thwaites is keen to get in touch with a view to a reunion.

Former regimental policeman Alan served at Shewsbury with Geoff, son of St Helens flour mill owners, during National Service in 1953-54. Alan remained down in Shropshire after meeting and marrying a local lass and the army chums haven't clapped eyes on each other since. Both will now be aged 62.

Geoff was apparently a lad with a mind of his own. While serving with the RAOC he was selected to go to Sandhurst for officer training but did not like it and returned to barracks "to be with the lads."

In those distant days, Alan lived in Kirkby Stephen and during leaves used to give Geoff a pillion lift most of the way home on his motor-bike, dropping him off at the Oak Tree pub at Newton-le-Willows before continuing onward to Cumberland.

Geoff shouldn't be hard to spot in a crowd - standing 6ft 3ins in his stockinged feet. So if he's out there, or anyone knows his whereabouts, then Alan would welcome a call on (01743) 873988.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.