A RESIDENT at Royal Star & Garter has recalled meeting her husband exactly 80 years ago, on VE Day.
Rita Harvey said it was love at first sight when she met Ken on the train as she travelled home to Twickenham from VE Day celebrations in London on May 8, 1945.
The couple married in East Molesey in 1951, and lived happily together until Ken’s death in 1993.
The 97-year-old now lives at Royal Star & Garter in Surbiton.
Rita, who is living with dementia, shared her story as the nation celebrates the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, and the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany.
She met Ken, who was serving in the Army, on a train leaving Waterloo station after she and a friend had spent the day in London celebrating. Ken offered her his seat on the busy train, and on the journey they exchanged addresses to write to each other.
Rita said: “I wanted to go up to London to join in the VE Day celebrations, but I wanted some company so I asked a very good friend if she wanted to join me. I wanted to see what was happening in London.
“We were drinking champagne and dancing in central London, and we had a wonderful day. Later we went to back to Waterloo to get the train home, and the carriages were packed. Then, this lovely young man offered me his seat.
“That lovely young man was Ken, and it was love at first sight. We hit it off and he asked if we could exchange addresses and stay in touch. It was the start of a wonderful relationship and we were devoted to each other.”
Royal Star & Garter celebrated VE Day at each of its Homes, in Solihull, Surbiton, High Wycombe, and now in Worthing, having recently merged with the military charity Care for Veterans.