Family's plea to help find missing pensioner (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Family's plea to help find missing pensioner

10:00am Thursday 2nd August 2012 in Local By Emily Roberts, Chief Reporter

THE family of a missing Basingstoke pensioner hope he will be found before his grandson’s seventh birthday next week.

Francis Ebbs was last seen by his wife Mary when he took her a cup of tea on Saturday, just before 7am, at their home in Harold Jackson Terrace, Eastrop.

The 80-year-old went out to buy a newspaper from Foyles Newsagents, at Top of The Town, Basingstoke, as he did every morning, but never returned.
Mrs Ebbs, 72, said: “I don’t know what to think now. We just want him to contact us and let us know he’s safe.”

The couple have been married for 52 years and have three children and four grandchildren.

Mrs Ebbs said her husband, who is a retired farmer, has never disappeared before and always lets her know if he was going out.

Their grandson Ewan turns seven on August 9 and the whole family are desperate for Mr Ebbs to return home in time for his party.

His son John, 48, said: “His grandchildren are asking after him. They want their granddad back.”

It is thought that Mr Ebbs boarded the number 76 bus at 7.25am in New Road and travelled to Andover, where he got off at the town’s bus station.

But John said: “The CCTV image of the person getting on the bus isn’t clear if it’s him or not, although we suspect it is.”

He said his father sometimes visited various places on the bus, including Andover, Alton and Newbury.

Although he left without his heart medication, John said it is not thought to be significant in the short-term.
But he said his father is unable to walk long distances.

He appeared to leave without taking any belongings, including his mobile phone.

Detective Constable Paul Smith, from Basingstoke CID, said: “We are concerned because it’s been four days now. He’s not in trouble, we just want him to get in touch and make contact so we know he’s safe.”

Mr Ebbs is described as white, 5ft 9ins tall with dark, receding, grey-flecked hair.

Anyone with information should contact Det Con Smith on 101.