24th April 1943

Today would have been my parents 73rd wedding anniversary.
They both passed to a better place a few years ago, but had almost 70 years of married bliss.

Their favourite tune was 'I'll be with you in apple blossom time', because it reminded them of when they got married. Because obviously it was during World War 2, rationing caused a problem, so every house in mum's street gave a little contribution of a bit of flour, a few currants, and so on, so a wedding cake could be made. The same with her dress. They lived in Charlton, south London, with the River Thames and the Royal Armaments Factories very close, so they were sitting targets for bombing raids on the Thames. The early days of their marriage was spent in and out of bomb shelters with what little gifts they were given like blankets got ruined because the shelter kept flooding.

Although the photograph was taken in black and white, they used to colour a few bits in by hand, and I think it makes it so much more special with that touch of colour.