The Forgotten Child: The powerful true story of a boy abandoned as a baby and left to die

by Richard 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.
It’s a freezing winter’s 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. He’s baptised by the hospital chaplain as Richard.
Everything feels as though it’s 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 Richard’s traumatic birth, abusive childhood, and search for the truth.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, History, Family, Adoption, British Literature

320 pages, Paperback

Published November 5, 2019

Reviews

[Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed this memoir, I can see why others may not like it as much as i did. The writing lacks emotion and detail, and is more of a factual, glossed over account of the author's experience. What I was drawn to, was how the author portrayed his experiences based on his age at the time. For instance, he wrote about the kindness he experienced at the orphanage from a three year old perspective. Then his initial abuse at the hands of his foster father from the perspective of a four-year-old and so on. It was interesting to witness how his perspective changed over time. I wish he had gone deeper with the introspection but it was still engaging for me. I listened to the audio version and felt the performance again lacked emotional depth. However, the upbeat narration hit a good note with me and made the account feel more uplifting and hopeful than it otherwise would have been. I think I was in the right mood at the right time for this book, and it provided exactly what I needed.

[Teena in Toronto · Rating 3 out of 5]

When he was a few hours old, Richard was found wrapped in newspaper under a bridge. Fortunately he was found by a passerby who called the police and he was taken to the hospital. He was put in a children's home where he stayed until he was almost five years old ... children could stay in there until they were five and then were moved on to another home. Married couple Pearl and Arnold decide to foster him just before he turned five.

Before he even gets to their home, though, Arnold is beating him up. Despite Pearl's protests and defense of him, Arnold's beatings happen practically every night. Nothing Richard could do made Arnold happy and he paid for it, sometimes even ending up the doctor's or the hospital. After all the happy years he had spent at the children's home, this treatment by Arnold was definitely a shock to him.

When he's old enough, Richard leaves home and gets away from the abuse. It's not until many years later that he finally finds out the truth about his birth and who is parents were.

This was an interesting but hard book to read. It was sad reading about Richard's mother leaving him under a bridge to die. But then his life was happy when he was in the children's home. Having Pearl and Arnold be his foster parents should have been a good thing but it wasn't. Richard was quite graphic in the descriptions of his beatings ... that was tough to read. I'm glad that he seems to have had a happy life once he left Pearl and Arnold's.

I can understand that Pearl wanted a child and it was obviously her idea to foster/adopt Richard. But she also knew what an abusive dominating A-hole her husband was ... so why would she subject a defenseless child to that kind of environment?! And once Richard arrived in the home and was beaten daily and nightly, she selfishly made him stay rather than returning him to the children's home for a better life.

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2019/06...

[Michelle Samis · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s written like a story/memoir. It was interesting just not a fan of the genre. I guess being a mother made me want to read it all the way through to see how this baby made it through such terrible abuse.

[Anneke · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story of a 2 hour old baby boy found along a roadside ditch. He survived and this is his story. I loved the book even though it was so sad at times. I got very involved in his story and unable to put it down.

[Carissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love to read memoirs about people who have beaten incredible odds and have overcome them. The story behind this is great, but the typical problem with these books is writing style. Often a lot is jumbled or repetitive. While I still think this book is worth reading. It is powerful. But be prepared for some moments of frustration as the author gets repetitive at some points. They may not be gifted writers, or just want to get their stories out there, but at the loss of the book not being as well written as it could be due to the lack of good writing skills. With better writing's these three stars could easily be a four, perhaps even a five. If you like this genre, you can probably overlook that and still get a lot out of it!

[Jacqueline Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Richard's story. Wonderful to hear the story of childhood abuse, from the child, for a change. Its a hard story to read and made me wonder about the adoptive father's background. Great to read how a child in care (albeit a very different one from the system we have now), progresses through life. This is the aspect missing from the stories written by foster carers.

[Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful true story

[Elaine Huisjes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book more than I did.

[Sionainn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well done - He clearly wrote his story and didn't linger on the abuse — I hear more of a warrior here, a strength he possesses and held tight throughout life. Thank Christ he had 5 years at Field House in Clent.

[Lylia Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story partly because my.partner was also a forgotten child . His mother left him at birth in a hospital . He knew his father but has never found his mother . Best of luck Richard . You have done well x

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true story about a new born boy found under a bridge on a late winters night wrapped in newspapers and left to die. He was found by a postman returning home from work. After being in hospital for several days he was sent to live in an orphanage for his first several years where life was wonderful for him. At five years of age he was adopted out to a childless couple where his life changed dramatically. I don't know if anyone could actually enjoy reading a book like this, I think it was one of the most upsetting books I've ever read. It made me so angry and disgusted that anyone could treat a young child like this, it brought me to tears at times. I kept reading though because I really hoped his father figure would get his comeuppance. I'm sure writing this book was very cathartic for the author and also very difficult to write as he had a childhood that no one should have to live. I'm sure also that unfortunately he hasn't been the only one. It made me happy to know that his later years were good. This was an excellent true story.

[Rosemary Walton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spoiler alert! Very disappointed in this book. While reading, I was continually waiting for Richard to begin acting out, demonstrate behavioural problems, becoming a bully, crying, depression or complete mental illness as a result of what he was going through almost daily for TEN YEARS!! It is simply not believable that a child could endure this and have any kind of normal life, as Richard tells us. Cheery, friendly, loved school, in the choir, lots of friends, etc. He gives us a surfacey, cheery, and seemingly false (to me, at least) telling of his life. He hints late int he book that he had his "ups and downs". That is as close as we get to the problems he would have had from the abuse he suffered. If you are interested in the human condition, don't waste your time with this book. A sad but inauthentic tale.

[Hala Khalaf · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very dull and superficial telling of what is actually a horrible tale. He gleans over major life events snd major facts, and the telling of this tale lacks emotion and authenticity. I wanted to love this book and I certainly cried for little Richard, the 5 year old boy taken away from the beautiful childhood which was all he knew then, and then the little boy who was amused almost daily for 10 years. The telling of the tale is repetitive and I am left with countless questions. It doesn’t really tell you more than a few articles about the man out there on Google. Reading this was a waste I’m afraid.

[Jean St.Amand · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope. Can't do it. I'm always very cautious of books people write about themselves because they are almost always TERRIBLE and this one was no exception. I was rolling my eyes just a couple of pages in and I just don't have time for this.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Powerful true story" describes it all. It is so difficult to understand how a mother could abandoned her new born baby, just reading about this broke my heart. Thankfully Richard spent his first 5 years under the care of a wonderful housemother, I believe that it was here in this facility that Richard was taught kindness and love and he would keep these happy memories with him throughout the years. It would be these memories that would be the foundation for making him into the wonderful person that he grew up to be. From the age of 5 -15 Richard was unfortunately living with his so called Foster/adoptive parents( although I use the word "parents" very lightly for they were anything but) which made his life a living hell. At this point in the story I almost gave up reading it since I couldn't stop thinking about it, having terrible dreams and finding myself becoming angry whenever I thought about what this beautiful child went through. I am glad that I finished his story and hope that others will as well.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an unbelievable story of strength, self preservation and fortitude. This is a book written from a child survivor perceptive which is factual based as Richard lived it. Because of the circumstances of his upbringing, his abusive adopted father, a brute of a man, unleashed horrific beatings and mental abuse. His adoptive mother was kind and caring, but also endured the wrath of her husband.

As Richard aged and gained more life experience, he began to see that is not how everyone was raised. He was a smart and curious about the world, with a particular interest in gardening. He did whatever he had to, to succeed as a child and an adult in the world. Despite his upbringing he was a well-liked boy and as an adult a very respected and kind man. Always wondering about his biological parents, he over a few decades learned the truth about them too. They were not as his adoptive parents told him. With the help of a dear friend and his own discovery over the decades, it did bring him unsettled clarity. This was a powerful story!

[Jessy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was more of a factual account of what Richard went through. It was really sad to read and I was left shocked for a good portion of the book. I do feel like it was lacking in some emotion, and I really regret that Richard didn't try to stay in contact with Pearl after leaving. Even though she did what she could she was the closest person to a mother that he had, and I believe that he owed it to her to at least stay in touch in some way with her. I think it was cruel of him to just leave her like that without saying goodbye.

I was shocked to find out more of true lineage and was saddened to find out he was the only one abandoned. One thing that I did find super interesting was that his dad was associated with the Kray twins. The Kray twins will forever be the most notorious gang in London and I do believe that although his dad was a scumbag his involvement with the Krays is cool.

[Sharon Norrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this on my bookshelf and decided to give it a go. I was really pleased that I decided to read this book. A baby is found abandoned on a cold night by the local postman. His mother is nowhere to be found so the boy is named Richard and goes to be looked after by the state in the local childrens home. Life in the early years is blissful for Richard and he really flourishes. However, at the age of 5 he is fostered by Pearl and Arnold. Whilst Pearl really wants Richard that cannot be said of Arnold and the poor boy is abused from day one.

This is an endearing story of the struggle to overcome his abuse and find his way in life. It's one of the best books I have read in a long while.

[Sue Flint · Rating 5 out of 5]

Human endurance never ceases to amaze me. A harrowing read of physical and mental cruelty without detection outside the house in the 1950/60's and in some cases still happens today. So glad the author had such lovely memories of the childrens' care home and that after leaving his adoptive parents began a life of independence and freedom. It evoked memories of my own childhood, school friends and 'playing out' with restrictions. A beautiful, touching scene to end with, bringing a life time of not knowing his beginnings to a rightful conclusion.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and complete story!

I thoroughly enjoyed this one that tied up all the possible loose ends, making the ending finished and leaving no stones unturned (often memoirs such as these leave too much unsaid)

As a mother I'm sure forgotten wouldn't be the best word to describe him, maybe secret or hidden. A mother could never forget, but they can certainly hide, or possibly she never really knew thr new name or what happened following the abandonment, though this seems unlikely given the press coverage.

[Theresa Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a hard time putting this book down it was so sad but inspiring to say the least I will never understand child abuse and why a father would adopt a child only to disrespect humiliate and hurt on a regular basis,.As much as his adoptive mother was nice she was so obviously a controlled person by her awful husband.I have some much respect for Richard Gallear an his strong sense of being for writing this book about his life.Kudos so such a thought provoking book Just reading this book makes me want to contact him and give him a big hug.

[Cheryl Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

One cold November night in 1954, a postman in Birmingham hears a strange noise as he is hurrying home. Despite the cold, he decides to investigate and finds a newborn baby boy wrapped in newspaper beside a canal. Such is the inauspicious beginning of the author's life. Raised in an exceptional orphanage for his first few years of life, he is placed with a foster couple and enters a nightmare period of physical abuse by his 'dad.' Mr. Gallear endures and triumphs over a crushing childhood, and eventually discovers the identity of his biological parents.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning is a bit slow but it picks up . As a newborn baby, his natural mother abandoned him to die. He was found by a kind man who brought him to authorities and then Richard had some very good years at Field House. Unfortunately, it was be adopted or leave and he ended up with a hellish adoptive father. He maintained hope throughout and one comes away with belief in the indomitable spirit of man.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is based on a true story. A baby just a few hours old is left beside a river wrapped in newspaper. The author tells the story of how he overcame the heart breaking abuse that he received as a child and how he overcame the odds of being a total failure. However reading that while he was in an orphange , he was loved and treated well. The story is told as he goes through stages of his life.

[Ann Peachman Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard was discovered by a postman and brought to the police. A tiny infant, he wasn’t expected to live. He thrived, and lived for almost five years at a children’s home, where he was loved and nurtured. Then he was adopted by a couple. The wife loved and nurtured him, but the husband physically and emotionally abused him every day. This is the story of how he survived and eventually thrived. A wonderful account.

[Christine Parkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the true story of a little boy who was left as a newborn baby at the side of the canal in freezing temperatures. It charts his life from care home to being fostered and adopted. This is a very sad story and the events have really affected Richard. Such a shame that he could not have got out sooner. I listened to this on audio and really enjoyed it.

[Yamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. As a forgotten abused child myself, it resonated a lot with me. The thought process of the narrator really rung true and all the little details of life.

Other reviewers might note a certain lack of emotion in the writing for such a topic. I suppose i fill in my own emotion, but the thought process narration is well written.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A shocking good read, couldn't put down. I just wish at the end of hadn't be so rushed, I wanted to know if Richard had met someone and had a family but it just seemed to concentrate more on his career.

[Cheri Smallwood-ellerker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sad but lovely book, It showed after abandonment, abuse and a general feeling of not belonging or knowing who he was. Richard traced his childhood back and learnt so much that he never knew such a lovely and powerful story.

[Denise Bourgeois · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was something about this book that enticed me to read it. It started off with abandonment then to love and nurturing to absolute devastation. But what determination and perseverance. Rising above all the pain with integrity and grace. Well done.