Sixty years in Harmony
MRS. Lilian Foster (81), can still remember the piano tune she was
playing when she first met her future husband, Edward, over 60 years
ago.
She was playing "The Maiden's Prayer" on the piano at her home in
Clapham, London, when Edward popped in to tell the family that
her
brother, who had been taken ill during the first world war was
recovering in an Indian Hospital.
Edward was so captivated by the tune that he asked to see Lilian again.
They courted for just over a year and married at Camberwell Register
Office, in the London borough where Edward was born and raised.
SURPRISE
Mr. and Mrs. Foster, who live at Cantley Close, Aylesbury, celebrated
their diamond wedding on Saturday with a surprise party organised by
their daughter, Mrs. Pam Bennett, at her home at 77 Elmhurst Rod,
Aylesbury.
The Fosters had no idea that a party would be arranged although they had
a vague idea that a small celebration might be held because their
children always remembered their wedding anniversaries. One of their
grand-daughters asked them to go for a quiet drink and before they knew
it they were at a party attended by about 25 relatives and friends.
WOUNDED
Mr. Foster, had just returned from fighting in the first world war when
he met Lilian. He served with the 8th Cheshire Regiment in France, the
Dardanelles, Mesopotamia and Egypt and was wounded three times but not
seriously.
Before being called up he worked as a painter and decorator and he
returned to his old employer after being demobbed. He worked with the
same firm of painters and decorators in south London for 41 years, and
was involved mainly in the painting of shop signs.
Mrs. Foster did not work because she stayed at home to look after their
two daughters and only son at their home in Clapham. Their son now lived
in north Wales and the other daughter lives in Harrow, north London.
They have six grandchildren.
LADDER
Mr. Foster, now 89, said he was always in work before retiring 20 years
ago, except for a period during the depression of the 1930s. He did have
a job during the depression but gave it up after a group of
demonstrators tried to shake him from the top of the ladder on which he
was working.
The couple moved to Aylesbury on Mr. Foster's retirement, and although
they are still independent their daughter Pam, who runs a newsagent's
shop nearby, always visits their bungalow to make sure they have no
problems.
LISTENED
Sixty years of marriage is a great achievement, and Mr. Foster said they
had not come close to parting during all that time. "We have always
listened to one another and we do not try to boss each other," he said.
His wife added: "We have three wonderful children and always stick
together. We share everything and we still love each other."