BOMB survivor Daphne Woolner has been re-united with her cousins thanks to The Evening Star.The Ipswich pensioner, who lost her mother and brother in Second World War bombing in the town's Bonningon Road, made a public appeal in the paper for information on her family.

By Amanda Cresswell

BOMB survivor Daphne Woolner has been re-united with her cousins thanks to The Evening Star.

The Ipswich pensioner, who lost her mother and brother in Second World War bombing in the town's Bonningon Road, made a public appeal in the paper for information on her family.

She still knows little about her mother, Gladys Waters, or the identity of her father but the article prompted two of Daphne's cousins – Derek and Eric Smith – to get in touch.

Daphne, 66, of Prince of Wales Drive, said: "I am really glad I got in contact with The Star. I even had people who saw the article stop me in the street. I just wish I had done this years ago."

Derek, 70, of Chantry Green, gave Daphne a copy of a wedding photograph featuring family members.

"When I saw the article I couldn't believe it," he said.

"I knew her sisters, brother, mum and gran. Our meeting was very nice and very pleasant."

Daphne – who was fostered at the age of five – made the appeal after a chance meeting in a department store.

She bumped into childhood friend, Roy Ramsey in Allders, Ipswich, who amazingly recognised Daphne and recalled the tragic night that changed her life in May 1941.

The attack killed her mother, 15-year-old brother Billy and left her 21-year-old sister, Joyce, badly injured.

Mr Ramsey remembered the blast was so powerful that Daphne was blown into a neighbour's garden. She was also burned in the raid and had to have skin grafts.

Her sister, Violet, who was 18 at the time, escaped the blast and Daphne was brought up by her in-laws.