Forgotten Child

by R. Gallear

Based on a true story, The Forgotten Child is a heart-breaking memoir of an abandoned newborn baby left to die, his tempestuous upbringing, and how he came through the other side.Its a freezing winters night in 1954. A baby boy, a few hours old, is left by his mother, wrapped in nothing but two sheets of newspaper and hidden amongst the undergrowth by a canal bank. An hour later, a late-shift postman is walking wearily home when he hears a faint cry. He finds the newspaper parcel and discovers the newborn, white-cold and whimpering, inside.After being rushed to hospital and against all odds, the baby survives. Hes baptised by the hospital chaplain as Richard.Everything feels as though its looking up; Richard is put into local authority care and regains his health. However, after nearly five blissful years in a rural care home filled with loving friends, it soon unfolds that his turbulent start in life is only the beginningBased on a devastating true story, this inspirational memoir follows Richards traumatic birth, abusive childhood, and search for the truth.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Abuse, British Literature

312 pages, Paperback

Published March 21, 2019

Reviews

[Rosina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this story so difficult to read... Particularly his transition from Field House to the Foster family... I was right there in his shoes. I nearly didn't read on after that journey to his new home but I'm glad I did. Really rather unbelievable story. Soap opera ending for a real life tale.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book but I really would have liked to learn more about Arnold and Pearl and why they even adopted him. It doesn’t make sense that Pearl would bring a young child into an abusive home. What was it that made Arnold such a monster? I really expected to learn that. I realize it’s a memoir but it surprised me that Richard didn’t try to understand them more as an adult when he had the chance. There’s more to it. He never talked about Pearl bringing him into that home and not protecting him either. Clearly, she was the reason he was there. How unbelievably selfish of her. In my mind they are both monsters.

[Maxine-Eloise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on a true story. This breaks my heart. Very well written and really gripping. Such a sad sad story.

[Rosemary Walton · Rating 3 out of 5]

So disappointed in this book. As I was reading it, I was continually waiting for Richard to beginning acting out, display some behavioural problems at school, crying, depression or complete mental illness due to the abuse he was suffering. But rather we get a surfacey, cheery, pointless telling of his life. Don't waste your time if you want to find out anything meaningful about his man's life. A sad but inauthentic tale.

[Garth Mailman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of a newborn’s abandonment in the dead of winter. The unwed mother’s story would be quite another tale and may appear later. The tale is told in the first person as an autobiographical memoir. As with many orphans he has good experiences and bad.

After an idyllic experience at a caring home for children of preschool age Richard is dispatched with a foster couple. Although his new “mother” is caring his “father” beats him on the way home when he vomits due to car sickness confined to the rear of a panel truck.

It is clear from the beginning that although his new Foster Mother may want children, Arnold, her husband in no wise wants to share her attentions with another including sharing the meal table.

A story of child abuse is not a pleasant read. The ongoing pattern of abuse here makes one question the due diligence performed in approving this couple for fostering. The husband is willing to indulge his wife in having a plaything as long as he doesn't have to see it or be inconvenienced by it.

the story shows how important a child’s formative years are to life as an adult. The pictures included show a chubby child who certainly continued to enjoy his food and suffered from deprivation with his foster family.

[sarah buckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking story of a little boy who just wanted to belong

I've read many a story of children in care who go on to be adopted but this shows an opposite side.
A child in care who's known nothing else, taken away from were he belongs to spend the rest of his childhood with people who are meant to love and cherish him, to then spend it in misery and pain.
For then to feel the only way out is to run away and fend for himself.
For everything that had gone on he's such a strong determined young man, making a life for himself, it could of easily gone the totally opposite way.
So glad he never gave up and eventually managed to close the chapter of the 'The forgotten child' and open a new one as a stronger man.

[Kristal · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart strings.

This story absolutely broke me.
A baby (Richard, a name he was given in the hospital) left at a canal bank wrapped in newspaper and a blanket.

He then went off to a wonderful place that he describes as his best years until he was adopted. He was beaten and abused a decade until he was able to quit school and get a job.  He never looked back.

Sadly his birth mother passed away so he never got answers from her and his father also passed away after leading a life in prison. He did have multiple siblings who he got to meet in person.

He sought out the postman who found him that freezing cold evening but he had passed away. However, he managed to find his 3 sons and told them the story of their heroic father. They were all very amazed ❤️

This story was so intense.
5 stars 🌟

[MRS J A MORGAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book after seeing an article in Wolverhampton's Express and Star. I read it in less than 24 hours and was engrossed in the story. Written without any sort of self pity it's a factual account of Richard's early life. Being more or less the same age I was able to compare my own comfortable life with his existence and am amazed that he has come his ordeal as well balanced as he seems to be. I'll admit to crying right at the end and was left with the feeling of wanting retribution for all those who seem to get away with ill treatment of others. Well done to Richard for writing this book. It is obvious that tracing his birth parents and siblings caused him much anguish and I hope writing the book has given him some closure.

[Breanne Bannerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely a heart-wrenching read. Richard's life with his adoptive parents was so horrendous; the fact that Pearl and her husband even bothered adopting Richard when Arnold clearly didn't want to drive me insane. This was never really brought up in the book. I know Richard once asked Pearl why Arnold was so abusive, but he never seemed to wonder why they even adopted him. I also kept waiting to find out what caused Arnold to be so abusive, when both his brothers seemed well-balanced and normal, and why they didn't have children of their own. I'm glad Richard was able to find peace and make a good life for himself against the odds.

[Ally Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read

I particularly loved the pace and detail in the narrative of this book. It was also nice to read that somewhere out there in the fifties was a kids home where the children were loved and looked after rather than abused.
Richard's story is, sadly, not uncommon, but he writes of it in an engaging way and seems to focus on the positive aspects of his life rather than the negative, which makes a refreshing change for this genre of writing.
Would recommend this book.

[stephen smitten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sad.

A very good book. I hope that the adoption system has changed over the years, things could have turned out so differently if Richard had had the chance to speak to a social worker without his foster parents there. Can't understand why Pearl would want to adopt knowing what an evil man Arthur was. I wish Richard all the luck in the world.

[Nazareth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wanna cry?! This book will leave you in tears. But, at the end, they will be happy tears. What a powerfully moving tale. From abandonment, tumultuous upbringing to redemption. Our choices make us who we are, but they can also affect those around us. This is a story about the choices made both around and within Richard’s life.

HIGHLY recommend!

[MRS A A SMITH · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST REAL LIFESTORY EVER

Richards life story is emotional from page one , the fact that he can share his story is testament to how he has managed to overcome such atrocities and still become a very well rounded intelligent hard working human being well done Richard this was a wonderful but heart rendering read.

[Vivien Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational

This was such a heartwarming story. Richard’s story could have ended so differently. It was his sheer determination to succeed that made his story a happy ending. Richard must have some hang ups about his past, but he made his own future. Well done, and thank you for sharing your story with us.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Gripping Novel

This was a wonderfully written book about a boy who had the inner strength to fight for his life and come out a strong man. I loved the follow-up of how Richard was able to close the circle by finding his siblings and the family of the man that saved his life.

[Trina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t love this book. It’s a terribly sad and horrific story and I did cry for young Richard at the treatment by his adoptive “father”. But it dragged in parts then skipped some of the important years, I felt. Then rushed to the end.
It’s good to shed light on our past mistakes with children in care and thank goodness we have learnt from them.
But could have been better written.

[Judy Curry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sad and powerful story about a baby who overcome a cruel 10 years in foster/adoption care. Not enough was done to protect children from physical abuse in the system. As a foster parent it breaks my heart that any child should go through this. I thought it was a well written account of Richards life and very brave to put it to paper.

[Claudette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and heart felt story.

Great read...some factual parts of this story was quite disturbing. No child should have to experience this in life. I feel sorry for the person who had experience such a life but pleased that his determination led to a fairly good life as an adult.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

myst read

What an emotional story. A true story of strength, resilience, courage and forgiveness. Very well written. So glad Richard had the strength to share his life with us. Thank you very much for showing no matter where you begin life you can rise above it. You have done well working so hard

[Ann Sampson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A baby abandoned by the side of a creek is discovered by a postman returning home late one night from work. Only 2 hours old, left near dangerous water in freezing cold weather, miraculously survives only to be abused later in his life by his adoptive father. One mans story of how he remembers his life, the ups as a toddler, the downs as a boy, then later his triumph to survive.

[Michelle Pescatrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, although incredibly sad, left me impressed with this man's ability to tolerate harsh abuse, both physical and mental. Then to read how he went on to a successful career and finding delight in friendships was fascinating. I have great respect for him although I wish he had found a way to have the abuser severely punished.

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

The beatings as described, of a 4 or 5 yr old child should have resulted in broken bones and hospital admissions. I got tired of the enthuastic "Yes please" . There was confusion towards the end regarding the number of siblings and half siblings. He was not a forgotten child, his mother forgot him, yes, but otherwise he was not known about.. A sad story nevertheless.

[Mary Chantry · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story. Makes you realise how lucky you are to have a normal upbringing. I couldn't put it down till I finished it, though I cried a few times especially the end. Hope Richard found closure in writing this book. Would make a great film.

[Tammy MacMullin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story! I couldn't put this book down. This story is so heartbreaking, I found myself aching to hug this child and show him love. He had such a horrible life, it made me so sad. This story will stay with me for a long time.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superbly written

To read what Richard overcame is nothing short of horrific. To read that he did overcome everything is nothing short of amazing. Very difficult storey to read, but such an instal one.

[Majka Nisbett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book

So easy to read but I couldn't stop crying from the beginning to the end.
Very powerful story. I couldn't put a book down.
Highly recommended.
I wish you could meet Arnold face to face how would be react. But I'm glad you moved on wishing the best.

[Valerie Carmichael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read

Really got hooked and couldn’t put this book down . Heartbreaking to hear an innocent child being treated this way ,but so happy to read what you achieved in life against all the odds . I loved this book

[Kelly Greenwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Against the odds, the survival of a newborn baby abandoned by a canal bank in the winter of 1954 is quite a story. Sadly his foster father who later adopted Richard was a cruel and abusive man, further scarring Richard. If this was fiction it would seem unbelievable. "

[Annika Bjerke · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sad, what a wasted childhood, but how incredible that he came out of it ok on the other end. The initial story is covered in the first chapter - I really wish that he would have met his birth mother and that we’d get to read about her side of the story.

[Vandria Bower · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book about a young boy who was abused by his foster father back in the late 50's/60's was incredibly hard to read about. However, I was happy to read that he finally got out of the situation at age 16 and succeeded in life.