Viewers of the Repair Shop were left in floods of tears after a man wept over a restored leather gifted to him by his late brother.
Malcolm Jordan, from Chippenden, appearing on the BBC1 show last night as he bought a treasure which had been in his possession for 65 years to the workshop.
He explained the document folder was a gift from his late brother John, who had served in WWII and bought it back from war.
The folder had become worn over the years, and Malcolm asked leather expert Suzie Fletcher if she was able to fix the meaningful item.
He was left in floods of tears as she revealed the leather folder, which had been beautifully restored – while many viewers at home said they also felt emotional about the makeover.
Viewers of the Repair Shop were left in floods of tears after Malcolm Jordan, from Chippenden, wept over a restored leather gifted to him by his late brother
He explained the document folder was a gift from his late brother John, who had served in WWII and bought the folder back
One commented: ‘Ohhh Malcolm! What a lovely man he is.’
Another wrote: ‘Aww Malcolm, bless him.’
‘And there it is! Who’s chopping onions damn it?’ one added.
A fourth commented: ‘Already know Malcolm’s leather bound folder is going to cause me to get something in my eye.’
‘Preparing myself for Malcolm’s reaction!’ another added.
Appearing on the programme, Malcolm told leather expert Suzie: ‘I bought you a document case, which is a bit battered around the edges.
‘It belonged to my brother and he obtained it during the war.
‘I’ve just kept my key documents in here. Other people bought back guns or occasionally wives, but he bought this.’
The leather folder had become a moving memento of Malcolm’s brother (left), and he revealed he was blown away by the restoration (right)
Malcolm wept as he described how important the leather folder was to him, and his relationship with his brother
Meanwhile Suzie beautifully restored the document and went on to share it with Malcolm in a moving segment on the show
He explained his brother’s name was John and he was nine years older than him, saying: ‘He was the kindest, most gentle man you’ve ever met.
‘We were bought up together in Peckham. We were evacuated together when the war started, and I was just under five.
‘My brother looked after me all the time. I was a bit of a pain because he was looking at girls and I was in the way.
‘It was just great being together in Swanage.
‘It was a nice, seaside place. If there was an air battle going on over head and pick up all the shells, still hot, and see how many we could collect.
‘Then in 1942, he was called up. That was pretty devastating. He went to camp. It was awful. A big part of me was missing.’
Growing teary, Malcolm continued: ‘One day, there was news of an unconditional surrender. The day he came home was magic.
‘We put a big sign out saying, “Welcome home John”.
‘I came cycling back with my friends, saying, “look what we’ve done!” but he got home first and he’d turned it around and written, “welcome home Malcolm”.
‘I just ran in and cuddled him.’
Malcolm went on to explain how his brother recovered from his period in the war.
Many viewers were blown away by the segment, with some saying it had left them in floods of tears
He explained: ‘He got to be a teacher and taught the rest of his life.
‘My brother died in 1984 very suddenly, so we didn’t have much time to say goodbye.’
‘This would be a great memento for him. It just brings all the memories of my brother back.’
He said: ‘It’s been in my desk drawer, it’s always been a comfort to me.
‘It would be lovely to have it bought back, as beautiful as it was, when I was given it 65 years ago.’
Leather expert Suzie got to work repairing the folder, saying she needed to ‘strengthen it up.’
She dismantled it before reinforcing the leather, saying: ‘I need it strengthened and getting into a usable condition.’
Malcolm returned to the Repair Shop and was blown away by the results of Suzie’s efforts.
He was left in tears as he exclaimed: ‘Oh goodness that is amazing. You’ve replaced all the edges, as well as the stitching.
‘Look at that! Wow. It’s all complete. I can’t thank you enough, not only for your skills but also you’ve restored something that means so much for me.
‘I shall take it home with love.’
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