The story of Wing Commander John 'Jasper' Thewles CBE, Mentioned in dispatches, RAF Number 37836 (Horace John Audley Thewles) and his four boys, and one and a half wives, is both complex and fascinating.

In fact his story - and that of his four sons - at times - sounds as though it could be fiction.

Those four sons are Nicholas Audley Thewles (sadly deceased) born 26th July 1938 - and Francis Edmund Thewles born 11th Nov 1942 - to Roo and John Thewles; and Francis Simon Kent (whose name at birth should really have been Francis Simon Hughes - or Thewles) born 21st may 1948 - and Guy Kent (whose name at birth should really have been Guy Hughes or Guy Thewles) born 6th April 1952) born to Audrey Hughes and John Thewles.

Guy Kent was given up for adoption at one week old, to become Peter James. Simon Kent went on to be adopted by his mother Audrey Kent's husband, David Harris, to become Simon Harris.

Peter searched for and found Audrey Harris in 1994 (when such searches became possible) and he and Simon met for the first time a little later that year, aged 47 and 42.

Several - if not many - aspects of the full story remain a mystery - or at least a puzzle.

That is because it was at the same time a Jackson family 'family scandal' - where the only people who knew (or suspected) the truth hid it (or were kept blind to it) have all now passed on.

The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth will almost certainly never be known

Even to me, who is John Thewles third son, born Francis Simon Kent - who has been in the midst of it for 70 years - it remains a mystery - though now - united with brothers Edmund and Peter - it is no longer an angry mystery.

Just a thoughtful mystery, discussed and shared with my brothers - who met for the first time in 2017.

IN THE BEGINNING

My knowledge of John Thewles started when I was 1 (and so deaf and dumb to family political nuances) who signed himself as my 'Pop' in my 1st Birthday card - of 21st May 1949.

But somewhere along the line my Pop became my Uncle John - in the last cards written for my 4th birthday.

My father - or Pop - John Thewles - died - as my Uncle john Thewles - on 9th May 1953 - 13 days before my 5th birthday on 21st May 1953.

33 days after the 1st birthday of his second child by 'Audrey Kent (nee Hughes - of 6th April 1953.

A before the 15 birthday of Nicholas and before 10th birthday of Edmund Thewles.