The first hug between half-siblings after 69 years was the start of a "tearful" reunion for one Suffolk man. 

Neil Gedny from Wickham Market got in touch with his half-siblings following a MyHeritage DNA test match. 

The 69-year-old and his wife Annie travelled to Arkansas, US, to meet his newfound biological family.   

He said: "38 people from the Allen family attended the reunion. It was not only my big day because other members were also meeting a part of the family for the first time. 

East Anglian Daily Times: Neil Gedny with his wife Annie, MyHeritageNeil Gedny with his wife Annie, MyHeritage (Image: Mr Gedny)

"The warmth they showed me and my wife was just unbelievable. We felt really welcoming." 

Mr Gedny started looking for information about his biological father, Bobbie Joe Allen, a few years ago. 

He found out that his father was stationed at a US Air Force base in Suffolk during the early 1950s when he met Mr Gedny’s mother, Evelyn. 

Ahead of the big reunion, Mr Gedny arrived in Arkansas a few days before the reunion to meet his half-siblings, Paulette and Bill. 

READ MORE: Suffolk man will meet family from US after 69 years following DNA test discovery

East Anglian Daily Times: Mr Gedny's half-sister Paulette Allen Pevsnser, half-brother Pace William Allen (Bill Allen), Mr Gedny and his wife Annie, Mr GednyMr Gedny's half-sister Paulette Allen Pevsnser, half-brother Pace William Allen (Bill Allen), Mr Gedny and his wife Annie, Mr Gedny (Image: Mr Gedny)

He said: "I really didn't know what my emotions would be, but after a big hug with my sister, I knew it would be a tearful reunion. 

"I felt like I'd known them for years. It’s unbelievable that I’m suddenly a part of a big family where everybody is so open and welcoming. 

"We’ll definitely stay in touch." 

During the reunion the Suffolk man talked to his 95-year-old aunt about her time in Ipswich and Bentwaters, where she lived with her husband, Mr Gedny’s uncle, during his time in the army.  

He added: "That’s very strange how close we lived without knowing we were family." 

East Anglian Daily Times: Mr Gedny's aunt, Jo May Allen, and her family, Mr Gedny with his wife Annie, half-sister Paulette, cousin Margaret Murphy and half-brother Bill, Mr GednyMr Gedny's aunt, Jo May Allen, and her family, Mr Gedny with his wife Annie, half-sister Paulette, cousin Margaret Murphy and half-brother Bill, Mr Gedny (Image: Mr Gedny)

Mr Gedny also heard many stories about his father from friends who remember him visiting Hasketon. 

"One of the men, who is the same age as my father would be, told me about him spending a lot of time with my mum in a local pub and also taking part in pub games. 

"I was told my father just fitted in like a glove with everybody in the Suffolk village."