Two brothers who lost touch during the Second World War and live 6,000 miles apart have met again, writes Michael Hambleton

By coincidence both men became police officers one in Britain and the other in Canada and were put back in touch by the detective work of an Abingdon policewoman.

Kevin Arthur, 66, of Edwin Road, Didcot, has just returned from a family reunion with his older brother Frank.

Kevin said: "It was just as if we had never been separated. We have the same sense of humour."

The brothers were separated when they were evacuated during the Second World War from their home in Kent to different families in South Wales. Kevin had been vaguely aware that Frank might have emigrated to Canada, but did not know if he was still alive. Then in April this year Kevin received a call from Sgt Janet Penny asking if Kevin could be related to a Frank Arthur living in Canada.

Sgt Penny, based at Abingdon Police Station, explained that Frank, a retired staff sergeant with the Canadian Police, was trying to trace members of his family through the International Police Association.

She called everyone with the surname Arthur in her telephone directory and struck lucky.

Kevin said: "Within hours we were reunited by phone for the first time since 1941."

His wife Rene said: "It was uncanny after so long apart, Kevin and Frank share the same mannerisms and talk the same way."

Kevin has now met an extended family he never knew he had. Frank, 71, has two sons, two daughters and is a grandfather.

Kevin said: "We are now planning a holiday in Didcot for Frank and his wife."