The Forgotten Child

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

By: Richard Gallear

Narrated by: Mark Elstob

Length: 7 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Based on a true story, The Forgotten Child is a heartbreaking 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.

©2019 Richard Gallear (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"An incredible story of survival." (The Sun)

So Good

Heartbreaking yet inspiring. the narrator was absolutely amazing. Thank you Richard for sharing your story.

Heart rendering story

What an amazing story of an abandon boy, life in an orphanage, adoption and finding his place in the world. Tears and heartache that produced a loving, kind man. A story not to be forgotten.

excellent & captivating

there was suspense and intrigue.
hoe s child over came neglect, then abuse and still became a caring and successful man all primarily on his own.

This was such an amazing story !

I loved this book , sad but also happy at small moments . The ending was fitting . I have a great appreciation for the author of this one ! It is a must listen !

highly recommend

heart wrenching story but so honestly and told from such a tender perspective. such a tender heart

Listened every spare second I found!

This book was just excellent and is a true story. I chose it because the little boy was born the same year I was (1954). I'm so glad I decided to listen. It is about child abuse, so be prepared, It was hard to listen to as I have a grandson the exact same age as this little boy was when his abuse started. I find it so hard to believe that anyone can abuse a child just because. Amazingly the child does survive and gets out of the home so there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

The narration was exceptional.

WOW ......

What an amazing human being!!!! All he went through and mostly concerned about the feelings of his adopted mother.

very good read

this was a very good read. full of emotional ups and downs but very good

sad but engaging story

this book told by the boy who suffered at the hands of his abusive father was sad but engaging. I love a story that shows how strong the human spirit can be. We all have an inner strength that we may not realize unless circumstances force it forward. The story was one that made me want to go hug my own boy.

The Forgotten Child

Your life story is very touching, at times painful. Thank you for your courage to share it with the rest of the world. I wish you love and peace.