Chichester couple's anniversary trip down memory lane

James and Elizabeth Tullet, who live in Chichester, met at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire where both served during the war.

Mr Tullet, now 88, was a Chichester resident, while Mrs Tullet, now 86, originally lived in Wigan.

When asked how the two met, Mr Tullet said: "When we came off duty we would walk round there, and we just bumped into each other for the first time one night as I was coming off duty."

The couple were married in the village of Weston Turville, on July 29, 1944 and so celebrated their milestone anniversary this summer.

"We got married at the church in the village, it was called St Mary's, and the villagers were very friendly.

"When they found out we were getting married they got very excited, one person gave us a big barrel of beer, and another cooked us some tongue or gammon." said Mrs Tullet.

Mr Tullet added: "I shall never forget how we got everything provided without even having to pay for it. They were very generous."

The couple celebrated the anniversary by returning to the village and visiting the church they married in, as well as the Five Bells pub which they often visited during wartime.

They said: "Every time we go back it brings back memories.

"When we were over we popped down to see the RAF base and there had been some changes.

"The pillbox was gone and the guard room, but the building where I had my quarters was still there."

The trip has become a bit of a tradition since the couple first made a return visit for their 60th wedding anniversary and renewed their wedding vows in the same church where they married.

Mr Tullet said: "The children like to go back, it's a bit special and it just brings all the memories flooding back."

When asked whether there was a particular secret behind a successful long marriage, Mr Tullet said: "Well all that's a bonus, but I never wanted anyone else. It just clicked with my wife."

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