A SECOND World War pilot who was shot down over France more than a quarter of a century ago has celebrated his 70th wedding anniversary.

Rupert Parkhouse married Rosemary, who served as a Wren during the hostilities, in London shortly after the end of the war.

Yesterday, the Daily Echo caught up with the pair at their Southbourne nursing home as they marked their milestone anniversary with a family gathering.

The couple, who have five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, live at St Anne’s Nursing Home, Wayside Road, Southbourne.

Rosemary, aged 93, known as Rosie to friends and family, said: “I think we were two very lucky people who clicked together and stayed together.”

Meanwhile, Rupert, aged 95, told the Echo: “We first met because I was a friend of her brother in school. I still feel very lucky today.”

And another reason Rupert feels lucky is her survived his 1940 encounter over France while part of a three-man crew on a Fairey Battle light bomber.

This aircraft - which was actually designed as a trainer - flew combat missions over France during the early stages of World War II, but was withdrawn from service by the end of 1940 after suffering heavy losses.

After the Second World War Rupert became one of the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) youngest squadron leaders, taking command of 201 Squadron at RAF Pembroke Dock.

He flew the RAF Sunderland flying boat and took part in the Berlin Airlift, an operation to drop vital supplies into what was then West Berlin, after the former Soviet Union blockaded rail, road and canal routes into the sector of the German capital under Western control.

Rupert went onto serve as a military attaché in Washington DC, Libya and at various other RAF bases across the UK.