Cop this! Web hunt reunites long-lost brothers

Barry and Malcolm Hill last saw each other when Malcolm, the eldest, then aged 18, decided to say goodbye to his family in Kirkburton, near Huddersfield, and embark on a new life in Australia.

They kept in touch at first but Malcolm lived in different places and gradually he lost touch with his brother and other family members.

He was interested in contacting his brother but he feared he had left it too late.

But then Malcolm’s ex-wife, Robyn, who has a keen interest in genealogy, began researching family links and while on the internet she came across the Kirkburton and Denby Dale neighbourhood policing team website and sent a message to see if anyone had any knowledge of Barry.

The message was picked up by Judith Brimicombe, a police community support officer (PCSO), with West Yorkshire Police, who set about asking around to find out if anyone knew Barry.

Discovering that he still lived in Kirkburton she knocked on his door and told him of the message from the other side of the world.

“It was very emotional,” she said. “He did believe he was never, ever going to see him again.

“I feel privileged to have been part of such a lovely reunion,” she added.

“This is what community policing is all about.

“It’s the old-style bobby on the beat getting to know your community and helping where you really can.”

The brothers were reunited on Monday when Malcolm flew from his home in Cannonvale, in North Queensland, to the UK for the first time in 47 years.

Barry, 61, who was 14 when his brother left, said: “Its unbelievable. I don’t think its really sunk in yet.

“We have just been going over the memories. We have been for a couple of beers and that. “

Malcolm said he was apprehensive at first but after learning his former wife had contacted his brother decided to get in touch.

“I was worried that I had left it too late until Robyn said that she had got in contact so I thought ‘Oh I will write and see what response I get’.”

He need not have worried though as Barry was happy to receive his letter last year and the pair had been in regular contact ever since.

Malcolm, 65, who has two sons, Shane, 39, and Daniel, 36 and two granddaughters, has had a number of different jobs, including working as a postman, said: “Kirkburton hasn’t changed at all, apart from a bit of renovations.”

The brothers are set to spend three weeks together and will use the time catching up and revisiting old memories and places.

They may even take in a Huddersfield Town match as Malcolm is a fan and has always followed their fortunes from Down Under.

Barry, a former labourer, who has never married said: “We are thinking about going to Blackpool and seeing all the old haunts and that.

“I have run into a couple of people that I know that I used to knock about with,” Malcolm added.

He said he was also impressed with the sunny weather Yorkshire has been having this week – as it had been raining a lot in Queensland recently.

Both their parents died in the 1980s and Malcolm said he recalled learning of his mother’s death but does not remember how he found out.

When asked if they were close as children the brothers smiled at each other.

“We were just normal, always fighting,” Barry said.

The younger brother at one point had to excuse himself from talking to the Yorkshire Post after becoming a bit overcome while discussing the reunion.

The pair intend to keep in touch and hope that – if they can find the cash –_ Barry will be able to visit Malcolm in Australia.

His older brother also said he would not mind coming back to the UK on another occasion and certainly does not plan on leaving it so long next time.

Both said they were very grateful to PCSO Brimicombe for all her efforts to reunite them.

Malcolm said yesterday: “I am just glad that what happened, happened.

“We should have done it earlier.

“We won’t lose touch again now.”