Someone to Love Us: The shocking true story of two brothers fostered into brutality and neglect

by Terence O'Neill

The harrowing true story of the young boy who captured the heart of the nation when he testified in court, to find justice against those responsible for his brother’s death. Terry O’Neill was just ten years old when he stood up in court to testify against his brutal foster parents, accused of the manslaughter of his twelve-year-old brother, Dennis. Terry and his brother had been taken into care and moved through many foster homes until they came to live on the Shropshire farm owned by Reginald and Esther Gough in 1945. There they were to suffer brutal beatings and little care or love – they survived as best they could, looking out for each other, until the terrible morning when Terry couldn’t wake Dennis. In a time when the country was united by war and struggle, the case shocked the nation and made headlines around the world. Terry, a small figure in the courtroom, captured the hearts of mothers and families everywhere, and the public outcry against the foster services led to the instigation of the first provisions to protect other vulnerable children from neglect and cruelty.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Abuse, Biography, Crime, Fostering, True Crime

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 4, 2010

Reviews

[Adam]

Hi everyone I'm Terry's grandson, Adam.

Just wanted to thank you all for taking not just the time to read his story but to also write such nice reviews, making sure Dennis' memory lives on.

If you'd like to pass on any personal messages to Terry just click on the Facebook link below.

Thanks all once again.

https://www.facebook.com/Someonetoloveus

[Michelle]

I never really know what to say about true stories as you are giving an opinion on someone's life which is an odd concept.

I'm not a fan of these kind of books to be honest but it has been sitting on my shelf for donkey's years so decided to read it.

It was ok, I read it quickly as it was fairly gripping.

Three stars.

[Connie Davis]

Once I started, I couldn't put this down. It's a horrific story, but I had to see how Terry dealt with such a terrible loss. No child should go through what Terry and his brother went through. Terry suffered physically with his brother until his brother died, but then emotionally for many, many years to come. I pray that writing his memoir helped him in some ways, but really how do you forget forever such a terrible past. My heart breaks for the child he never was.

[Chris]

Tragic and candid and a story that needed to be told. I just wanted to hug my kids tighter

[Hyacinth]

Heartbreak 💔

This book had me literally weeping. I started it years ago then lost my Kindle. I never deleted so I started it all over again 1/14/19. There were times I just had to stop reading. Initially I thought, this was mild compared to some of the other things I've read...I kept reading and it turned into a horror story of epic proportions. I am tearing up even as I review. It is purely the Grace of God that Terence desires and somewhat maintained a sense of normalcy at having a life and family. One thing I did not understand though was why his family got mad when he spoke to the paper. I read feeling some type of way and questioned why nobody came back for him and Dennis? It seemed everyone was connected except for Terence, Dennis and the other little brother. That is rejection. Were they embarrassed or guilty? I know this was another time period but when they reconnected nobody addressed the elephant in the room? My prayers to the family.

[Homaira]

What a desperately sad story. I’m in tears even thinking of that little kid on the witness stand testifying against his foster parents.
It’s truly unfortunate that the publisher decided to slap that random stock photo on the cover. I wouldn’t have known that this was the story of a landmark case in the history of British foster care if I hadn’t stumbled across it on a Wikipedia page. The cover makes this look like one of those trashy misery memoirs plastered all over the deep recesses of the internet.

[Ariana]

Found this story because I was cast in the Mousetrap and decided to do a little research. I didn’t know it had been inspired by true events, and I got my hands on the book as soon as possible. I consumed it - in all the tragedy and ugly tears I cried, I couldn’t put it down. I so desperately wanted to hold both Terry and Dennis, and I wept for what they went through. It’s a remarkable story, and Terry went through so much growth and healing later. I am grateful I got to hear the true story.

[Emma Clarke]

Harrowing. Not an easy story to read. I didn't feel it was right to 'rate' this book, but in keeping with Goodreads I have; this is someone's life. Such a sad story, but an incredible man for writing it, for standing up in court all those years ago and for living his life with his brother in his heart.

[Vicki Bebbington]

Wow

Wow 💙 a tragic tragic childhood! Dennis would of been so so proud of you for writing this and being able to live you’re life the best you knew how! he will be looking down so proud, knowing that you had to live all these years with all that in you’re head. Well done to you for being brave in dealing with them demons you must of carried around for so many years x

[Louise Mcleod]

I don't know why I continue to read books like this as they upset me so much. However, at the same time it is an eye opening experience and a look into what goes on behind closed doors.
I found this well written. Lots of humor mixed in with the sadness. A real bond between brothers and the fear was real. Thank you for sharing your story

[mary beech]

So heartbreaking

Very sad and upsetting how children are going through this every day I'm so glad that terence found some happiness through his heartbreak with his loving family god bless Dennis x

[Peg]

This is such a sad story, it is so hard to understand how anyone can mistreat a child. Not only does it detail the horrible situation and abuse of the boys but it shares how their suffering changed the foster system in England. It also is about the pain and depression that follows adults forever.

[Pauline G Townsend]

heartbreaking but a must read

It’s sad but I now understand why so many children brought up in care end up in prison or have other difficulties even decades after leaving care.

A story of a young boy ending up in care and the death of his brother. His loneliness and despair.

[Liz naylor]

Really really enjoyed this book but it made my sob how could anyone be so vile to innocent children monsters

[Amber]

4.5 This is a truly devastating glimpse into what people are capable of. It made me very angry especially as the whole situation was avoidable. Sad, but beautiful read

[Tracie Brook]

so sad

I really enjoyed this book. I was heartbroken and so angry for the boys. Still to much happening these days too though

[Fiona]

Great historical book which shaped the the children's act.

[Sammi]

Harrowing but addictive read

Terence O'Neill what an inspiration. Despite being let down over and over you are a true survivor even though the wobbles along the way.

[Jane Payne]

Read this because Agatha Christie used story for Mousetrap The cruelty of the foster parents is unbelievable and the resilience of Terence to live life is admirable Really upsetting but amazing read

[Aveen]

What a sad story....not just a 'story' but real life for the author- Terence O'Neill

The story follows this mans life from a young child and you can see from the beginning how his beginning in life set the wheels in motion for all the other things that occurred. It was so sad to read of how these boys (Terence and his brothers) where moved from 'pillar to post', from one foster family to another and to children's homes, without much thought of how that upheaval and feeling of constant rejection and abandonment would impact on them. I was even more saddened to find that even after all the abuse that Terrance suffered and with what happened his brother Denis, he still wasn't provided with a long term stable environment.

The abuse both he and his brother suffered at the hands of two people who were meant to protect them was just awful and it's just unbelievable that any adult could behave in such a way towards children but sadly it happens, more than we realise.

I was inspired though my Terence's motivation to keep going, his ability to adapt to constant changes which he had no choice in being a part of. His survival skills, his ability to work so hard to earn money, to try so many different things etc, are all a credit to him and were amazing to read about.

[Colette]

What to say about a book like this one! The beginning of the story is written very well but it is very depressing and sickening. It tells the story of two little boys forced into the world of foster care. Shifted from home to home, they were finally left in the home of Reginald and Esther Gough. They were underfed, overworked, beaten and abused beyond what any normal person could even imagine. Afraid and prohibited from disclosing to the rare social worker that visited them how horrible their living conditions were, they survived only through their love of each other. Finally one morning, the oldest brother, Dennis, could not be awakened after a severe beating the night before and the police were summoned to the house and the abuse was discovered. Reginald and Esther Gough were tried and convicted and the youngest boy, Terry, was removed from their care. The central part of the story deals with his recovery and the demons he dealt with for the rest of his life and the conclusion deals with his acceptance and the person he is finally able to become. A tough read especially when you realize it is a true story.

[Jenn]

You can often tell with biographies that speak of human interest stories that their writers don't do this for a living. This tale of abuse and neglect is obviously written by someone who has very little experience. Don't get me wrong, it's not a terrible rendition nor is it difficult to read. It just seems to lack something once the trial is done. I'm thinking you could have almost ended the biography there. There was nothing astounding about Terry's life when he was growing up. It speaks of the difficulties he had with relationships, but I found there was nothing there out of the ordinary. I was glad to see he found some joy in his marriage and his grandchildren, but he even tells that part of the tale depressingly. It can never be easy to write this kind of autobiography, so I commend him for that. I just feel that it may have been better off as a short story.

[Patsy]

True shocking story of suffering of 2 brothers in foster care.

A boys death in the 1940's brings about foster child new laws. Living on a foster care family farm they receive little food or proper care. The boys about age 10 and 12 do hard work daily and frequent harsh punishments for minor reasons. Both the man and wife are abusive. The foster system overlooks removing them even though 2 other children were suddenly removed. Their punishments and starvation grow worse. The older boy, Denny, dies bringing media attention to the flawed foster care system. It takes many years as a adult to cope with the memories and anger of losing his brother. He does find a perfect wife and start a family. After many years the author visits old places, family, and starts the book.

[Toni Marie]

WOW! What an inspiration

The details of this healing memory the author shares is frightening and horrifying to say the least. I hope Mr. O'Neill found the healing everyone would pray for, while rehashing this history. To imagine and empathize the pain, guilt, and loneliness he had to go through. It was very refreshing to read the final chapter, not giving it away. Happiness is good to prevail in the end. God bless you and your family Mr. O'Neill.

[Samantha]

Unlike other child abuse books this story doesn't focus the whole story around the gruesome details of the child abuse. It takes you from the removal of the children from their birth mother, right through to the author as he was at the time of finishing the book, taking you through the various parts of his life and how his past affected his adult life. It's a true LIFE story.

[Julie Potter]

Heartbreaking

This book broke my heart. It's heartbreaking that this stuff continues to go on today and the system continues to fail these children who have already gone through abuse and neglect in their own families to have been put in the system to begin with. There has to be a better way.

[David Howard]

Unbelievable story but sadly true

This book was so intense that I had to put it away for a few days. Though not a professional author Terry is quite good at telling his story. This book is not for the faint of heart. Read with the knowledge this it is a disturbing story made all the more disturbing because it's true. Its hard to believe monsters like the Gough's exist.

[Sheila Winters]

This would be good required reading for students interested in a career in child welfare. It's very sad to realize this is not fiction, but a real life horror story of a society failing to protect its children.

[Candace]

Well written book on foster care horrors

I was grabbed from the beginning on the journey of 3 brothers in England struggling thru foster care. I do not want to spoil the book,but it is well written and very tragic for 1 of these children.

[Deborah Hambrick]

Sad story.

It was difficult to read what these boys went through. Child abuse is something that should never happen. Reading this book inspires me to pay more attention to the possible signs of this horrible crime.