Following a 60-year search, the son of a Second World War pilot has finally met his half-sister after travelling more than 6,000 miles from Germany to Ecuador.
Peter Böhme-Brown was born in German state of Lower Saxony in 1947, to his mother who worked at the Wietzenbruch Air Base and his supposed father, who was a prisoner of war in England during the conflict.
But, at the age of 14, he found out who his real father was, thus starting a six-decade search for the truth about his family, which has taken him from Germany to Ecuador, via Welwyn Garden City.
Who was Peter's father?
Peter found out that his father was actually a man from Welwyn Garden City named Peter Corin Brown.
During the Second World War, Peter Sr. flew Hawker Tempests as part of the Royal Air Force's 56 Squadron, protecting the skies over occupied Europe.
"He was popular in his unit because he was a bit of a joker," explained Peter Jr.
"He was also a bit of a daredevil, fearless and always stood by his unit and the Crown.
Get more stories like this delivered to your inbox every week by signing up to the Welwyn Hatfield Times In Brief newsletter.
"He only shot down one German aircraft, according to the records, but helped many of his comrades by playing the rabbit to distract the German pilots.
"He crashed twice, firstly in Canada during flight training and the secondly, with the rank of warrant officer, near Friesoythe, a small town in northern Lower Saxony."
Following the end of the war, Peter Sr. met Peter Jr's. mother, and she fell pregnant. But, he never knew, returning to Welwyn Garden City not long afterwards, eventually marrying and having two daughters named Jean and Alison.
The desperate search for the truth
Not knowing who his real father was, Peter Jr. wanted answers about his family, but quickly stumbled across problems.
"I could not get any information from any official or non-official body," he told the Welwyn Hatfield Times.
"Perhaps they were afraid in England that I would make some kind of legal claim, but that was never my intention."
READ MORE: T.J. Fire and Security celebrates 50 years of business
Peter Jr. has spent the past 60 years searching for his father, but he would never get to meet him, with Peter Sr. having passed away following a heart attack in 1982.
But, his efforts to connect with his long-lost family would finally pay off in 2019.
Finding Jean
"At Christmas 2019, after I had published a second search notice on Facebook, I received a message from a woman I didn't know from Frankfurt, who does genealogical research in her spare time," said Peter.
"She had found my father and gave me Jean's address. I wrote to her immediately and got an answer.
"Many of Jean's friends warned her not to contact me as they were worried about fraudsters or legacy hunters, but nevertheless, Jean and I arranged to meet."
Then, another twist in the tale. Jean was no longer living in England, but rather Quito, the capital city of Ecuador.
Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the meeting he had waited so long for, but the moment finally happened in January this year.
Meeting Jean
Peter travelled from his home in Schneverdingen, flying more than 6,000 miles across the Atlantic to the western coast of South America.
"At the airport in Quito, I suddenly heard a loud voice calling out 'Peter! Peter!'," he recalled
"Hearing my name at an airport in South America was something quite unusual, but then I saw Jean.
"My feelings when I faced her were overwhelming. Inwardly I rejoiced, I still have a sister and can finally embrace her.
"I had expected a beaming face and a warm embrace, but I feared the warnings from her friends must have prevented that. Consequently, I was a little disappointed.
"Later, however, I realised why she was reticent."
Jean sadly has lung cancer and requires the help of an oxygen machine. Her condition isn't helped by Quito's altitude, situated 2,850 metres above sea level, making it the highest capital city in the world.
Peter, who has COPD, experienced her struggles first-hand during his three-week stay as they climbed the stairs to her third-floor flat.
Peter's time in Ecuador
Remembering his time with Jean, Peter continued: "Her illness and mine unfortunately prevented us from seeing more of Quito and beautiful Ecuador.
"I often accompanied Jean to her work as co-ordinator for motorbike tours across Ecuador. Many motorbike enthusiasts from all over the world know her and trust her decades of experience in putting together these tours.
"I met many of her friends, locals, Americans and other visitors from the UK. We were able to go on excursions with the help of the friends, but far too few.
"Jean is still working today, at the age of 73, only occasionally, but with full commitment."
Plans for the future
Peter hopes to see Jean again, but another trip to Quito is unlikely due to his health. Instead, she plans to make the trip to Germany next year.
"She wants to visit my home in 2024, and my partner Inge is already looking forward to it," he said.
The 76-year-old is also planning a trip to Welwyn Garden City, finally visiting the town his father called home, providing the culmination of an incredible 60-year search for the truth about the family he never knew he had.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here