A POOLE couple, who married in bombed-out London amid the uncertainty of World War Two, have celebrated their milestone 70th wedding anniversary.

Les and Phyllis Gore tied the knot in Fulham, in 1942, just months after the capital had suffered the heaviest protracted aerial bombardment in its history.

However, Les – who trained as an RAF radio operator and tail-gunner on Wellington bombers – would soon be hitting the enemy back in the same fashion.

“I was in 75 New Zealand Squadron and went on to complete 35 raids over Germany,” Les said.

“I took part in raids over Essen, Bremen, Dusseldorf and Berlin.

“Berlin was just about the maximum range for the Wellington. It was quite a frightening experience at times and I was very lucky to have survived.”

Being part of a bomber crew was one of the most dangerous jobs in the Second World War. Life expectancy for a bomber crewman was lower than that of an infantry officer in the Great War.

So it seems fitting that Les and Phyllis’ are continuing to beat the odds.

Asked what the key to 70 successful years of marriage was, Phyllis answered: “Give and take, that is the secret.”

Looking back to her wartime wedding day, she recalled: “I remember it well because I had artificial flowers and no icing on my cake. That sort of thing was just not available during the war.

“We came down to Bournemouth for our honeymoon, but we got held up on the train. By the time we arrived at our boarding house it was about midnight.

“The landlady opened the door in her nightie and didn’t even give us a cup of tea.

“In the morning I went to the bathroom and when I opened the door there were all these soldiers shaving in the mirror.

“So, of course, I just turned and ran out.”

The couple, who never had children, celebrated at their Canford Health home with neighbours.

“The mayor and mayoress came around and we got through a couple of bottles of champagne. It was wonderful,” said Phyllis.