by Hayley Robinson

A man is appealing for help to trace his long-lost brother before it’s too late.

Michael Watson’s sibling was just six months old when he was fostered by a family in Sittingbourne some time during or after 1944.

It’s believed he went on to be adopted by the same family when he was seven or eight.

Mr Watson, from Harlow, Essex, says his brother may have been known by the name of Edwin (Eddie) Watson-Taylor and that his adoptive dad may have been a teacher in the town.

The 71-year-old was just four when the pair were left by their mother Annie in a house she rented in east London, before returning to Chesterfield where her parents lived.

It’s believed she left the children after she found out her husband Henry Robert William Watson, who was the children’s father, was having an affair with another woman.

Michael was taken in by his grandparents and Edwin was placed in a care home in Reigate, Surrey, near Redhill.

The married father of three said: "Both our parents have passed away and I’m trying to place the last little bit of my life jigsaw picture together before I too have my wooden overcoat fitted. Even if he’s dead I’d like to know about him.

"I got to know our mum a bit. I met her again when I was 12. It was an on-off relationship up until three years ago when the relationship totally broke down.

"I never blamed either of our parents. It was war years.

"Then I received a call from my cousin to tell me mum passed away on January 3. I went to the funeral. It did cut me up because the door had closed and that’s what triggered me to start looking for him again.

"I’ve been trying for 30 years but never been able to find him. One thing that held me back was maybe he didn’t know he was adopted.

"It was someone in Ohio who suggested his adopted name through a Kent website but I’ve never been able to get back in contact with them to find out more."

Mr Watson has Edwin’s birth certificate.

It states his full name as Edwin Robert Watson and lists his birth date as January 9, 1944.

He added: "I’ve got no memory of him and I’ve not even seen a photo of him but my mum used to say even though there was three-and-a-half years between us, we looked like twins.

"I’ve often wondered if he’s been looking for me as well."

Their dad Henry went on to marry the woman he had the affair with – Lillian. Together they had a daughter, Maureen, and three sons Derek, Kenny and Peter.

Their mother Annie had a daughter Valerie, who passed away 18 months ago, aged 60, and a son called Leslie. She later married a man called Albert Hoy but he passed away 20 years ago.

Mr Watson said: "He doesn’t know he has half-brothers and sisters and I can’t believe he didn’t go on to have a family of his own so I too have family missing."

Anyone with any information about Edwin is asked to contact the Sittingbourne News Extra by calling 01795 580300.