MELKSHAM couple, Allen and Edna Gullis, are celebrating a staggering 75 years of marriage next month.
The couple married on 6th May 1944 at St Michael’s Church, Canon Square, and went on to have three children, Gloria, Adrian and Andre. They also have eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. “That’s the bonus of being married 75 years – getting to see our grandchildren grow up, and now our great-grandchildren,” said Allen, who is 94, speaking to Melksham News.
The couple first met during World War II in 1941 at the Kings Arms in the Market Place. “Edna was out for a birthday drink,” explained Allen. “I was with the Home Guard and had just come off duty. I overheard Edna, who was with WAAF (Women’s Auxiliary Air Force) in Bowerhill, and her friends say that they were going to a dance at the Town Hall that evening, so decided to go along as well. We first made eye contact at the Kings Arms, and that was enough for me to want to make her acquaintance.”
About their wedding day in 1944, Allen said, “We couldn’t have any church bells as people might have thought there was an invasion! I remember that we had a reasonable buffet – and there was plenty of food left, so we invited more people in the area to come. Three American soldiers came, and the funny thing is that somehow they ended up back in our sitting room on Old Broughton Road to continue the party – it was very crowded!
“At the time, all leave had been cancelled by the Forces and I had 48-hours to come back to Melksham to get married before returning to London. A month later I was involved in the D-Day landings in Normandy. I was gone for around 12 to 16 months before I was back in Edna’s life.”
Edna, who is 97, added, “One of the officers from Bowerhill gave me away at the wedding. I remember that I couldn’t have the dress that I wanted as I didn’t have enough clothing coupons – but it was still a nice white dress.”
About the secret to a long happy marriage, Allen joked, “Fighting – it helps! And a sense of humour.”
In agreement, Edna said, “He’s definitely got a sense of humour – that’s kept us going.”
Allen and Edna will celebrate their anniversary with a dinner and an evening 1940s tea dance at the Assembly Hall.