Reg Barker, a 66-year-old from Mildenhall, Suffolk, has shared his powerful story of discovering he was adopted at 18, a revelation that came as he prepared to apply for his first passport. His experience sheds light on the widespread practice of historical forced adoptions in England, which saw an estimated 185,000 babies taken from unmarried mothers in the three decades after World War Two. The government has now committed to issuing an apology to those affected.
Mr Barker recounted the moment his adoptive parents handed him a birth certificate bearing a different name when he requested it for his passport application. "It was a complete shock. I didn't have a clue," he stated, explaining that his adoption had never been mentioned during his upbringing. This unexpected discovery ignited a profound desire to understand his biological origins, setting him on a quest that would span 45 years.
His search began by contacting social services, who directed him to the Salvation Army. This organisation successfully located his adoption papers, which provided crucial details about his birth mother. Mr Barker learned he was born in Bristol and had been unwell as a baby. His mother, being unmarried, was reportedly pressured by hospital staff to relinquish him for adoption, ensuring he could receive care from a baby and toddler service before his formal adoption.
Despite being with the service for three and a half years, during which his mother visited weekly, Mr Barker has no memory of her. While expressing gratitude for his "brilliant" adoptive parents, he conveyed a deep sense of loss for the everyday moments he missed with his birth mother. "For me that meant no bedtime hugs, no bedtime stories, no Christmases, no birthdays," he reflected, emphasising that these experiences could not be replaced.
His journey of discovery was not without its challenges, particularly for his adoptive mother who initially feared he would leave to return to Bristol. However, Mr Barker reassured her, and his family ultimately supported his right to know his history. His perseverance, significantly aided by his eldest daughter, eventually led him to uncover details about his biological father and discover he had three half-brothers and a half-sister, whom he described as "the most amazing people." Although he never met his biological parents, he stood by his birth mother's coffin at her funeral, a poignant moment he described: "My birth mum saw me come into this world. I saw her leave this world."
The government's forthcoming apology, announced by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, acknowledges the profound and lasting impact of these historical practices. It represents a significant step towards recognising the pain and injustice experienced by countless mothers and adopted individuals across England.