Skip to content

WW2 past leads Dorset man to discover US family

BBC Keith Barrett with cousin Mark & uncle LesterBBC
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.

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.

He has now met his birth father's family in Monterey, California.

Pathe US troopsPathe
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.

"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."

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.

They received the information at the same time.

Californian Zielinskis and Barrett family
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.

"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."

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."

Keith Barrett with father's dog tag
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.

"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."

Presentational grey line

Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].