07-05-2025
'I met my husband on train home from VE Day party 1945 - it was love at first sight'
Rita Harvey, 97, bumped into beloved husband Ken on the train home from VE celebrations in London on May 8, 1945 and said: "It was love at first sight - we were devoted to each other"
A pensioner has shared the heartwarming story of meeting her husband on VE Day 1945, saying it was 'love at first sight'.
Rita Harvey, 97, said it was love at first sight when she bumped into soldier Ken on a train after a day of celebrating in London on May 8, 1945. Recalling that special moment, Rita told the Mirror: "[I] went to back to Waterloo [station] to get the train home, and the carriages were packed. Then, this lovely young man offered me his seat. That lovely young man was Ken, and it was love at first sight. We hit it off and he asked if we could exchange addresses and stay in touch. It was the start of a wonderful relationship and we were devoted to each other.'
The couple married in East Molesey, Surrey, in 1951 and lived happily together until Ken died in 1993. Rita, who has dementia and lives at Royal Star and Garter, a care home for veterans and their partners in Surbiton, Surrey, shared her story as the nation celebrates the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany surrendering.
It meant an end to nearly six years of a war that had cost the lives of millions, destroying families, homes and cities. The nation rejoiced in the news and marked the occasion with street parties, dancing and singing. Rita had spent the day partying in the capital with her best pal before locking eyes with Ken on the journey home.
She said: 'I wanted to go up to London to join in the VE Day celebrations, but I wanted some company so I asked a very good friend if she wanted to join me. I wanted to see what was happening. We were drinking champagne and dancing in central London, and we had a wonderful day."
Ken served in the Army which allowed Rita to join Royal Star and Garter as a resident. The organisation offers nursing and dementia care at homes in Solihull, Surbiton, High Wycombe and Worthing.
On Thursday, residents will join the King, Queen and other members of the Royal family for service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey to mark the anniversary. PM Keir Starmer is also expected to attend the service, which will be broadcast live on BBC One.
On May 9, 1945, some 25,000 people packed out Westminster Abbey for hourly services throughout the day, to give thanks for Allied victory in Europe. Exactly 80 years later, there will be just over 1,000 worshippers, including more than 70 World War Two veterans.
A military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace took place on Bank Holiday Monday, with the Royal Family taking to the balcony. It featured a display of pageantry by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, showcasing ceremonial traditions of the British Armed Forces.
