Childhood companions to separate after 70 years

War babies who have been inseparable companions for more than 70 years are making an emotional visit back to the town where they were born.
Liz Newbery with Rupert the BearLiz Newbery with Rupert the Bear
Liz Newbery with Rupert the Bear

Liz Newbery and her teddy bear Rupert will be special guests at the Chesterfield and District Family History Society’s fair on August 27.

Just three days later, the pals will part company when Liz takes her cherished toy to his new home at the Sudbury Museum of Childhood.

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She said: “I am really going to miss him but I know this is the best place for him.”

Great-grandmother Liz, who lives in Cornwall, wanted to find a happy retirement home for her precious teddy as she couldn’t bear to think what might happen to him when she is no longer around to look after him.

She said: “My grandsons aren’t interested in toys so I thought it would be much better if he could be in a place where other children could see the kind of toys that were around during the war,

“Rupert is the perfect companion. He shares my bed, I talk to him and tell him all my problems. I just love him. I was crying the other day just thinking of not being with him. He has been with me through thick and thin.”

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Her teddy must be one of the most well-travelled toys in Britain, clocking up 200,000 miles on journeys around the world with his devoted owner.

Liz was given Rupert for her first birthday. She said: “It was wartime and toys were not being manufactured. A Chesterfield lady made the bear for me from pieces of old coats which were bought at a jumble sale.”

For the full story, see this week’s Derbyshire Times (August 25, 2016).