As the war drew to a close, and the Soviets advanced rapidly from the east, the Nazis marched camp inmates towards Germany to help tackle the desperate shortage of workers in factories and mines.
John himself had an adventurous war becoming one of the first soldiers to be recruited from his Commando unit to join the then fledgling SAS.
He was captured at Tobruk in North Africa in the early part of the war. Then a soldier with the London Scottish, he escaped an Italian prisoner of war camp with his friend dressed as Italian soldiers. The two had to keep moving for 18 months to evade recapture.
They now live in a retirement home, and the employees of the home say their love is clear and strong.
Pamela Shaw, activity coordinator at Bupa’s Balcarres care home, said it was lovely to see John and Eci are still completely head over heels.
She said: “John is a true gentleman. He is always checking in to make sure Eci is happy and the pair still refer to each other as ‘sweetheart’ on a daily basis. Their devotion to one another is clear to anyone who spends even a short time in their company.
“John came to join us a year after Eci moved in, so it’s wonderful that they are both near one another again. Our main aim now is to ensure that they continue to enjoy a happy life together.”
This Valentine’s Day, Eci and John’s advice to young people in love is to keep the romance alive all year round. The two celebrated their 71st Valentine’s Day together with a party and by welcoming all of us to share in their incredible love story.
Credits: vintag.es
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