Siblings reunited over fish and chip dinner - after 75 years

Four siblings separated after their mother tragically died in a house fire have finally been reunited Credit: SWNS

Four siblings separated after their mother tragically died in a house fire have finally been reunited over a fish and chip dinner - almost 75 years later.

The three sisters and one brother were all under five when their mum passed away and they spent most of their lives living with grandparents or adoptive families.

Before 1982, adopted children were not allowed to look for their siblings but once the law was changed the search began in earnest for Maureen Coleman, 79, Chris Clay, 78, Mavis Clarke and Trevor Forshaw, both 76.

The siblings were raised by separate families after their mother died in a house fireCredit: SWNS

After a number of unsuccessful research attempts, Trevor found the Genes Reunited website.

"If you had a family name, date of birth and place, you could get a list.

This gave me family tree and that led me back to one sister, Maureen. We met a fortnight later and got to know each other."

– TREVOR FORSHAW

Trevor discovered that Maureen and Mavis had already been in touch and soon the three siblings had met up. But that left Chris, who the trio struggled to locate.

"We just couldn't find her. I posted a note on a forum and eventually had an email in September. The writer said she was aware of my sister. I emailed and we then spoke on the phone to Chris.

Ironically, she lives only 20 minutes' drive away from me and Maureen is only half an hour away.

Mavis lives just short of Rotherham. We were all within 40 miles of each other for so many years."

– TREVOR FORSHAW

The close locations of all four siblings led to them being in the same room for the first time in 74 years and four months.

The only hint of sadness was the absence of their eldest brother, Arnold, who had died when he was 36.

"We had a bottle of wine and fish and chips so it was a really good celebration. It was really good."

Each sibling has their own family but they plan to meet as a foursome again.