Aldbourne couple's 65 reasons to celebrate

5:01pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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WHEN George Devey kissed the girl who was to become his wife he got a slap on the face for being too forward.

But two years later the couple married, and recently they celebrated 65 years of marriage.

Mr Devey and his wife Dorothy, who live in Whitley Road, Aldbourne, celebrated their blue sapphire anniversary with a family gathering at the home of one of their sons, Andy, who lives in nearby Upham.

They had hoped to hold a big family party in Barnstaple in North Devon where Mr Devey, 86, was stationed with the Army.

However Mrs Devey, also 86, has been in indifferent health and the celebration was switched to their son's home.

Their other son, Richard, lives in Northamptonshire.

The couple met at an amateur dramatic show in Coventry where they both grew up.

Mr Devey was the stage curtain manager and his wife was a chorus girl. Mr Devey said: "It was her legs I noticed most of all. I fell in love with them."

As there was a blackout because of the war, every young man was asked to see one of the young women home.

"When we got to her home I gave her a kiss and she slapped my face for being too forward," said Mr Devey.

Two years later they married at Styvechale parish church.

Mr Devey served in the Home Guard and then the Royal Corps of Signals. His wife worked for an accountants.

The couple left Coventry in 1964 when Mr Devey got a job at Hurn airport in Bournemouth.

The couple, who moved to Aldbourne 11 years ago, also have three grandchildren and two great granddaughters.