Library book finally returned 81 years late after daughter travels 4,300 miles to drop it off

A book borrowed from a school library has finally been returned… 81 years late.

Brian Buckley took the Latin exercise book from his school library with him when he left in 1943 and embarked on a continent-spanning life journey.

He was aged just 14 at the time.

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It was during WW2, that Winston Churchill was Prime Minister.

Brian boarded at King’s School, Grantham, Lincolnshire, on a scholarship from 1940 to 1943.

But when he left, he took the book with him to his work in the mining industry in Cornwall and Durham before eventually landing in British Columbia, Canada.

Now his daughter, Deirdre McKie has travelled 4,300 miles from her home in Canada on a pilgrimage to return the book to its rightful home.

She had previously visited Cornwall and Durham tracking her family heritage.

Deirdre met staff and the head boy Jim Gleed at the school before heading back to Canada, as reported by What’s The Jam.

“It was very meaningful to visit The Kings School,” she said.

“The people were very gracious and I really enjoyed the tour and a chance to see some of the places – still there – that my father would have spent time more than 80 years ago.

“It is a very special pilgrimage.

“My father has always been grateful that his parents decided to take the scholarship route for him.

“He also describes a life that had little idle time.

“I am sure it was here he learned the value of education which he passed on to all of us.”

Brian lodged with around twelve other students in the junior dorm and fondly remembers his life at King’s.

He credits the school as the foundation of his education.

He said the book’s return had brought back many fond memories.

“I recall the Sunday church parades to the St Wulfram’s service and still have my school straw hat.

“Church was followed by the afternoon of compulsory letter writing or homework in the common room,” he said.

“Frequent walks from school to the playing fields as part of the volunteer weeding necessary for your house garden competition.”

Current head Simon Pickett said: “What a wonderful story and a fantastic glimpse into the history of this amazing school.

“I was amazed that both the book and Brian’s original straw boater have survived 80 years and thousands of miles of travel and I think that tells you something about the affection that our alumni have for our incredible school.

“It was delightful to meet Deidre and I was delighted that Brian enjoyed a book about the history of the school, photos and stories that we sent back to Canada.”

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