TWO Bolton war veterans who lost touch during the Second World War were reunited in the town at the weekend after 59 years. Mr Jim Gould and Mr Cliff Collings, both aged 78, first met in the Territorial Army 53rd Field Artillery when they were 17.

The pair, whose birthdays are just days apart, immediately hit it off, striking up a memorable friendship. They moved into the 354 Battery 110th Regiment with one another after the outbreak of war. But they lost touch when Mr Gould was transferred to another Battery in 1941.

Both continued to serve their country, but their paths never crossed again.

That is until the weekend when after 59 years, Mr Gould -- who now lives in Dudley -- decided to look up his old comrade.

A simple check in the telephone directory, and the pair now both grandfathers, were back in touch within minutes. Mr Gould said: "I married a woman from Dudley and settled there after the war.

"But I always come back to Bolton for Remembrance Sunday to take part in the parades. Reunited

once more

From Page 1 "I had never forgotten Cliff and this year decided to make the effort to track him down.

"I picked up the telephone directory and thankfully there was only one C. Collings listed. I took the chance it would be Cliff and rang him.

"It seemed a chance in a million -- but thankfully it was him."

Mr Collings, of Firwood Grove, Smithills, said: "I have thought about Jim over the years but never knew where he had gone.

"It was marvellous to hear from him. Now we will continue to keep in touch and see one another.

"Looking at him now, I can see the old Jim. I do not think we are doing so bad in our old age."