Does anyone remember Harry Aplin, my dad?

Dear Ed, I AM trying to trace anyone in East London in the 1940s and 50s who knew a Harry Aplin who lived in Stepney around 1947 and was a musician at the Hackney Empire. This is my last hope as I have exhausted every channel over the years in my search for my father

Dear Ed,

I AM trying to trace anyone in East London in the 1940s and 50s who knew a Harry Aplin who lived in Stepney around 1947 and was a musician at the Hackney Empire.

His address was in Oley Place, Stepney Green, until 1965, according to the electoral registers in Bancroft Library.

What happened to Harry after that I don’t know. I would be grateful if anyone could tell me anything about my father or his life, no matter how small, such as religion, nationality—absolutely anything.

I am adopted and was told by my natural mother when I traced her before she died that Harry played violin at the Hackney Empire in the 1940s.

I have tried for years to trace him and about 20 years ago found his address and went to what was Oley Place in Stepney—but sadly there was only a patch of grass as the houses were no longer there.

I am 61 years old now and that part of my life is a mystery. It would be wonderful if I had some information that I could pass on to my children about their family tree.

I don’t know his birth date, which has meant fruitless searches on websites. This is my last hope as I have exhausted every channel I can think of over the years.

Cleo Lear (formerly Valarie Gower)

Greenwich, London

Tel: 07908-613668