ESSEX   CHRONICLE

Saturday, 26th January 2013

Couple say faith has kept them happy together for 70 years

By Piers Meyler

Anniversary celebrations: Daughter Patricia Williams, Eileen and George Hickmore and son Graham Hickmore get together for the 70th anniversary celebrations in Chelmsford

A COUPLE who tied the knot during the Second World War say their faith has helped them stay happily married for 70 years. George and Eileen Hickmore celebrated their landmark anniversary surrounded by two dozen family members and friends at their home in the Broomfield Grange Care Home, in Puddings Wood Lane, Chelmsford, last Sunday. Speaking of the happy occasion Eileen said: "The secret to our long marriage is our faith and being committed, working Christians." George, 91, and Eileen, 88, were married in Folkestone on 20th January 1943 as war raged in Europe. Soon after, the couple were separated when George was sent to the fighting in North Africa and Italy with the East Kent Regiment – commonly referred to as The Buffs. George would later sustain an injury in Italy and join the Military Police until the end of the war. On his return from the forces, the couple, who have two children, Graham, 62, and Patricia, 64, made a home back in Folkestone, Kent, where George worked first in a bakery and then in a car factory where he helped transform cars into Dormobile motorcaravans at the company's base in Folkestone. He then went to work for Dover Borstal and then posted to the West Ham Central Mission, where he would eventually run the establishment in Stock. His two children still live in the village. Son Graham said: "Dad was also very big in the Boys Brigade.   He was president at one time in the Essex group." Patricia added: "It's been wonderful to have the family here to celebrate their 70th anniversary."

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