CHATTERIS couple John and Vera Smith (nee Peacock) are celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary today. The Fairway couple were penfriends while John served with the 5th Tank Regiment in Korea. They were married at Chatteris Salvation Army Church by th

CHATTERIS couple John and Vera Smith (nee Peacock) are celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary today.

The Fairway couple were penfriends while John served with the 5th Tank Regiment in Korea. They were married at Chatteris Salvation Army Church by the then Lieutenant Bernard Ball and his wife. It was the first wedding that Bernard, who was a native of Chatteris, conducted after becoming a Salvation Army officer.

After leaving the army, John was employed by Fairleede Engineering until the factory closed, then spent several years working at a sugar beet factory. He then worked for Stainless Metalcraft until his retirement. Vera worked at Graham and Fisher (Ironmongers) in Chatteris for approximately 10 years.

The couple had two sons Alan, and Ian, who died in 2003. The couple are members of Somersham Church.

To mark the occasion, the couple will celebrate with a family party on Sunday.