Felpham couple's perfect marriage made in the Marines

A former Royal Marine Commando from Felpham returned from conquering Europe to conquer a fellow Marine's heart.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Jun 2008, 16:33 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 19:03 BST

Vic Henry was back in the Marine barracks at Plymouth after taking part in the D-Day landings when he met his future wife, Doreen.

She was a Wren in the Marines and had a higher rank.

Mr Henry (86) said: "It was Doreen's black stockings which attracted me! Being a Marine, I used to get a lot of attention from women but Doreen was the only one that stood off from me."

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The couple enjoyed playing badminton together, as well as trips to the cinema, and became engaged in 1947 some 18 months after they first met.

They were married on the sunny day of June 2, 1948, at St Jude's Church in their home town of Plymouth.

Mr Henry's work took him overseas to campaigns which included Malaysia, Sarawak and Cyprus.

He was twice in the Guard of Honour to the Queen and was promoted through the ranks to Captain.

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His last posting in Northern Ireland saw him badly injured in a bomb blast during the Troubles of the early 1970s. He spent a long time in Haslar Hospital at Gosport.

Mrs Henry (84) settled in Hayling Island in Hampshire to be closer to Mr Henry as he recovered rather than travel from their home in Chatham.

Mr Henry retired from the Marines in 1972 after 34 years and became an assistant director at South Bank Polytechnic in London.

They moved to their present bungalow in Wroxham Way 12 years ago to be closer to their two children and six grandchildren around West Sussex.

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The couple have survived heart attacks and cancers to reach the diamond anniversary of their wedding.

They celebrated with their family at a lunch on the weekend before their special day.

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Related topics:FelphamEurope