Wedded to 'the enemy'

By Thelma Etim
BBC News, Hampshire

Pictures of the couple's wedding were seen across the world

Her mother gave them six months. But June Fellbrich has just celebrated 60 years of wedded bliss to German prisoner of war, Heinz.

It was the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche who said: "That which does not kill us makes us stronger".

And the couple from Eastleigh, Hampshire, are a shining example of courage under fire.

For there were many who did not welcome their marriage in 1947 - not only were they spat at in the street but they were also sent hate mail.

But with new government legislation allowing German PoWs to marry British girls, the love-at-first sight couple wasted no time in tying the knot at Southampton Civic Centre.

"The first time I saw him I thought he was gorgeous, so we met and it went from there," Mrs Fellbrich, 79, said.

However, their wedding night was rather unconventional - Mr Fellbrich, then 26, had to be locked-up back at the PoW camp in Southampton by 2200.

The secret to a good marriage is happiness, truth and don't go astray Mr Fellbrich

The couple's ceremony made international news with pictures of 19-year-old Mrs Fellbrich kissing her new husband over the camp fence seen across the world.

But their love prevailed in the face of adversity.

"My family, friends and people were very hostile at the time," said Mrs Fellbrich.

"Some of them had lost their husbands and sons in the war.

"I was spat at in the street and some would say: 'Aren't our boys good enough for you?'.

"I had two sacks full of hate mail which I took to the police and they said burn them.

June and Heinz Fellbrich received hate mail

"People soon forget, it's a 10-minute thing."

After Mr Fellbrich was finally released from the camp in February 1948, the couple made up for lost time - they have six children, 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Retired farm worker, Mr Fellbrich, 86, who was captured in France, said: "We have had 60 wonderful years together and we love each other as much as we did back then.

"The secret to a good marriage is happiness, truth and don't go astray.

"I was lucky. During the war I never thought I would have such a happy life."

His adoring wife added: "I know it was worth it because I loved him and still do and that's the secret of our married life - love."

On Saturday, the couple are travelling to Germany to celebrate their good fortune with Mr Fellbrich's relatives who live near Hamburg.