Brummie Tony has changed my life : ARTICLE-DESELECTED.

Byline: PAUL COLE 

THEY are the old photos that have sparked a transatlantic quest.

And the question at the heart of the matter: just who is Brummie Tony? Snapped on a cheap camera in 1973, he remains a man of mystery.

The Sunday Mercury has been contacted by Jacques Charette, 55, of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, near Montreal, in Canada.

He says that Tony is the man who changed his life after a chance en-counteon the road.

"It was July 1973. I was 19 years old, travelling across Europe, hitchhiking with Todd, a friend of mine from Chicago," recalls Jacques.

"We were two guys, with long hair and big backpacks outside of London, on the side of the road, and nobody wanted to give us a ride.

"Finally, someone did stop. It was Tony, a delivery man for what I believe was an office stationery store.

"As he wasn't authorised to take any passengers in the company truck, he asked us to stay in the back, where no-one could see us."

Tony took the pals back to his hometown, where he offered some Brummie hospitality.

"After giving us a ride to Birmingham, he took us to a typical English pub," recalls Jacques.

"He then tried to convince his wife to let us sleep at their home, but Tony often brought strays like us home, and she was growing a bit tired of it!

"In the end we planted our tent in a park. My friend and I tried to go to sleep, but we hadn't eaten since the morning.

"Then we saw a light approaching.

It was Tony, wielding a flashlight and bringing us the best meal we could have hoped for.

"He said: 'I thought you'd like to try real fish and chips'. Wow!

"We were so overwhelmed by his generosity that tears rolled down our faces. I still talk about that great moment with my friend Todd. This was a night that we will never forget."

Next day Tony gave the hitch-hikers another ride, this time to Liverpool.

"We took some pictures in front of the famous Cavern club, where the Beatles gave their first concerts," says Jacques. "After that, I never saw, or spoke to, Tony again.

"Even though I have not been in contact with him since that time, he has had a great influence on my life.

"My first trip to Europe was such a positive experience that I have now travelled to more than 50 countries and visited almost all the states in the USA.

"More importantly, Tony's hospitality encouraged me to welcome many people at my home. Kids from all over the world have stayed with my family over the years. When a young traveller needs a place to stay, our door is always open.

"It is truly Tony's generosity that made me want to give the same kind of hospitality to others, and doing so has really enriched my life."

Jacques reckons that Brummie Tony would probably be aged around 65 now - and wants to find him to repay the favour.

"If I find him, I will invite him to my home and give him the trip of his life!" he says. "It would be so wonderful to show him how grateful I am for his generosity and how much it has meant to me, to this day."

Jacques' hitch-hiking days are long behind him. He now works with a major charity after retiring from an office equipment business, and will this year bid to become a city councillor in the district where he lives.

His pal Todd trains new air traffic controllers after retiring from a career in the control tower himself.

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CAPTION(S):

VAN MAN: Brummie Tony Jacques Charette, with friend Jocelyn during '73 holiday trip. Brummie Tony, the mystery man from Birmingham. APPEAL: Jacques Charette, now 55.