A stunning end to the lost photos story

It didn't take long.

Earlier today we told you about the Royal Canadian Legion's unsuccessful efforts to unite some old photos - found in a Sault Area Hospital hallway - with their owner.

Staff in the Legion's Branch 25 Sault office asked if SooToday.com could post a story to bring more attention to the matter. We did and in no time at all things began happening.

"SooToday.com came through again," said Helen Stewart, our Legion contact, this afternoon. "Eric Astley (of the Sault) has just come into the office to claim the pictures (after reading the article)."

The photos are of Eric's brother, Robert Bruce Astley (shown when he sailed on the York), and his wife Thelma.

"They live in Elliot Lake and he (Robert) is a retired postal worker," Helen continued. "Eric and Robert are stunned and happily shocked to find these pictures. Thank you."

It turns out the photos were actually lost not once, but twice.

According to the Astleys, they first went missing several years ago.

It's guessed they were found by someone at the hospital who put them into a file folder, desk drawer or box when no owner could be located.

Then, it appears, the photos fell out during a move to the new hospital.

Having been lost twice over an extended period, the cherished images are finally on their way back home.

////