The Forgotten Child: The powerful true story of a boy abandoned as a baby and left to die
(Paperback)
Publishing Details
The Forgotten Child: The powerful true story of a boy abandoned as a baby and left to die
By (Author) Richard Gallear
HarperCollins Publishers
HarperCollins
8th April 2019
21st March 2019
United Kingdom
Classifications
General
Non Fiction
True stories of heroism, endurance and survival
Child abuse
362.76092
Physical Properties
Paperback
320
Width 129mm, Height 198mm, Spine 21mm
230g
Description
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 beginning
Based on a devastating true story, this inspirational memoir follows Richards traumatic birth, abusive childhood, and search for the truth.
Reviews
An incredible story of survival. The Sun
Author Bio
Richard was the name given to the baby found by the canal by the hospital staff. Gallear was the surname of his adoptive abuser. Throughout the trials and terrors of his childhood, Richard survived to tell the tale in this book. Now in his sixties, he lives in the West Midlands, not far from the Canal towpath where he was found that first freezing night of his life. Despite his ignominious start, and cruel upbringing Richard's first five years in a happy children's home, combined with his determination to stay alive as a baby and later an abused child, has helped him to grow up into a balanced and compassionate adult with loyal friends who are his family. His quest for the truth of his origins has been a long journey, but now that he knows at last, he feels at peace with it all. In his case, the truth really has set him free.
