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The Forgotten Child

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

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The Forgotten Child

By: Richard Gallear
Narrated by: Mark Elstob
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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.

 Abductions, Kidnapping & Missing Persons Abuse Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Child Abuse Dysfunctional Families Dysfunctional Relationships Parenting & Families Relationships True Crime Emotionally Gripping Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking
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Critic reviews

‘An incredible story of survival.’ The Sun
All stars
Most relevant
all I can say is listen to this I love it very touching sad I have to move on to a new one

so touching

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What an incredibly moving story, and at some parts not easy to hear but I couldn’t stop listening.
Highly recommend

Incredible!

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I would highly recommend this book worth a read, but sometimes upsetting at the things little Richard had to go through as a child

the details in which Richard remembers his childhood.

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a beautiful but emotional story, happy that sharing your life, eases your pain. remember you are never alone

emotional

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Really enjoyed this engaging audiobook.
What I would have liked to have done to Arnold ! How can people be so cruel .
Being adopted myself it was especially poignant.
At least it had a happy outcome.

Very engaging.

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