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| WW2 past leads Dorset man to discover US family | WW2 past leads Dorset man to discover US family |
| (1 day later) | |
| Keith Barrett's journey saw him reunited with his cousin Mark (left) and uncle Lester (centre) | Keith Barrett's journey saw him reunited with his cousin Mark (left) and uncle Lester (centre) |
| A man who discovered his birth father was an American GI has met members of his family for the first time. | A man who discovered his birth father was an American GI has met members of his family for the first time. |
| Keith Barrett, from Hampshire, began to question his parentage when he realised his father, Donald, was not listed on his birth certificate. | Keith Barrett, from Hampshire, began to question his parentage when he realised his father, Donald, was not listed on his birth certificate. |
| After taking a DNA test, he discovered his birth father, Johnny Zielinski, was stationed near Wimborne, Dorset, during World War Two where he met his mother. | After taking a DNA test, he discovered his birth father, Johnny Zielinski, was stationed near Wimborne, Dorset, during World War Two where he met his mother. |
| He has now met his birth father's family in Monterey, California. | He has now met his birth father's family in Monterey, California. |
| Thousands of American GI troops arrived in the UK during the latter part of WW2, many stationed in Dorset | Thousands of American GI troops arrived in the UK during the latter part of WW2, many stationed in Dorset |
| Mr Barrett, 77, of Wickham, was 17 when he first questioned his mother about who his biological father was. | Mr Barrett, 77, of Wickham, was 17 when he first questioned his mother about who his biological father was. |
| "The only thing she really would say was his name, Johnny Zielinski," he said. | "The only thing she really would say was his name, Johnny Zielinski," he said. |
| "When I tried to probe she would just well up and would not discuss it at all." | "When I tried to probe she would just well up and would not discuss it at all." |
| Mr Barrett got on with his life and said it was only when his wife suggested doing some research to find out about his father that he decided to take a DNA test. | Mr Barrett got on with his life and said it was only when his wife suggested doing some research to find out about his father that he decided to take a DNA test. |
| It revealed his genetic heritage as 50% Polish and a computer search for blood relatives showed the Zielinski family from California as having a strong DNA match. | It revealed his genetic heritage as 50% Polish and a computer search for blood relatives showed the Zielinski family from California as having a strong DNA match. |
| They received the information at the same time. | They received the information at the same time. |
| Mr Barrett flew to America with his wife and daughter to meet the Zielinski family in California | Mr Barrett flew to America with his wife and daughter to meet the Zielinski family in California |
| He then discovered his mother met the American in October 1944 at a dance in Wimborne, and Mr Barrett was born the following year. | He then discovered his mother met the American in October 1944 at a dance in Wimborne, and Mr Barrett was born the following year. |
| "There was obviously a liaison that took place, which isn't surprising bearing in mind we're five years into a war," Mr Barrett said. | "There was obviously a liaison that took place, which isn't surprising bearing in mind we're five years into a war," Mr Barrett said. |
| "He went off to fight shortly after without knowing that I was even conceived." | "He went off to fight shortly after without knowing that I was even conceived." |
| Mr Zielinski, who was injured in the final year of the war and unable to have further children, died in 2014 without knowing he had a son. | Mr Zielinski, who was injured in the final year of the war and unable to have further children, died in 2014 without knowing he had a son. |
| Mr Barrett's cousin Mark Zielinski said: "I just wish he would have known he had a son, he would have told the world about it." | Mr Barrett's cousin Mark Zielinski said: "I just wish he would have known he had a son, he would have told the world about it." |
| Mr Barrett said his father would have been wearing his dog tag when he met his mother which gave it a "special significance" | Mr Barrett said his father would have been wearing his dog tag when he met his mother which gave it a "special significance" |
| Mr Barrett was presented with some of his father's most treasured possessions, including his military dog tag. | Mr Barrett was presented with some of his father's most treasured possessions, including his military dog tag. |
| "He will have been wearing it when he knew Mum, so that has a very special significance. It makes me that much closer to him. | "He will have been wearing it when he knew Mum, so that has a very special significance. It makes me that much closer to him. |
| "It's been a revelation, I am a changed person I promise you." | "It's been a revelation, I am a changed person I promise you." |
| Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Wimborne Minster | Wimborne Minster |
| Wickham | Wickham |
| Dorset | Dorset |
| California | California |
| World War Two | World War Two |