Sheffield sweethearts who feared war could tear them apart mark an incredible 75 years of marriage

Sheffield sweethearts Ken and Vera Foster wondered if they would ever see each other again after he went off to join Allied forces for the D-Day invasion.
Ken and Vera Foster are honoured with a reception at the town hall to mark 75 years of marriage. Picture Scott MerryleesKen and Vera Foster are honoured with a reception at the town hall to mark 75 years of marriage. Picture Scott Merrylees
Ken and Vera Foster are honoured with a reception at the town hall to mark 75 years of marriage. Picture Scott Merrylees

Over seven decades later, the Parson Cross couple have celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary with a reception held in their honour by the Lord Mayor Tony Downing at Sheffield City Hall this week.

Ken, a former Sheffield steelworker who is now aged 95, was badly injured while he fought in World War Two and had his left leg amputated in a field hospital.

He survived the operation, and only had thoughts for Vera.

Ken and Vera Foster, of Sheffield, who have been married for 75 yearsKen and Vera Foster, of Sheffield, who have been married for 75 years
Ken and Vera Foster, of Sheffield, who have been married for 75 years
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Ken, a member of Blesma, the limbless veterans, and who worked as a telephone engineer for 34 years after being demobbed from his regiment, said: “When I came round after they’d amputated my leg, I asked the Padre to write to Vera. I was more worried about losing her than my leg.”Vera, who worked as a nursery nurse and is now aged 92, remembers the letters that her husband wrote to her well, all these years later.

She said: “Ken was worried about me packing up with him because many injured men were getting letters from wives or sweethearts giving them up.

“But, as far as I’m concerned, it is the man himself who counts, it doesn’t matter what he loses.”

D-Day, on June 6 1944, was the first time that Ken, then aged 21, had been abroad and he missed Vera desperately.

Ken and Vera Foster, of Sheffield, who have been married for 75 years. Ken joined Allied forces for the D-Day invasion. He was badly injured and had his left leg amputated in a field hospital, and it was thoughts of Vera that kept him going.Ken and Vera Foster, of Sheffield, who have been married for 75 years. Ken joined Allied forces for the D-Day invasion. He was badly injured and had his left leg amputated in a field hospital, and it was thoughts of Vera that kept him going.
Ken and Vera Foster, of Sheffield, who have been married for 75 years. Ken joined Allied forces for the D-Day invasion. He was badly injured and had his left leg amputated in a field hospital, and it was thoughts of Vera that kept him going.
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They married shortly after he returned home from battle, on December 30, 1944, at the former St Cecilia’s Church in Parson Cross. They have barely been apart since.

The pair officially celebrated their milestone wedding anniversary of 75 years last year.

The couple, who have always lived in Sheffield, have three children who are aged 73, 72 and 69. They are now also grandparents and great-grandparents. They have three grandchildren and give great-grandchildren.

They enjoy going on holidays around the UK together.

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