Eve Farrant (nee Lisher) tells us of her 'big day', her wedding to Bernard whom she met whilst working at Draycott's Estate Agents in South Street, Lancing.

'In 1941 the blitz on Britain was continuing with great severity. Germany invaded Russia and the Japanese bombed the US Naval base at Pearl Harbour. The only important thing to happen to me that year, however, was that on March 15th at Lancing Methodist Church I married Bernard.

Bernard's sister, Jean, was bridesmaid. My wedding dress was borrowed from Jean West who had married Derek three months earlier. Jean was smaller than I was, but she'd had the dress made larger as, married in January, she wanted it big enough to put a jumper under and so it was a perfect fit on me. I was only 8st 4oz at that time. I borrowed a veil from Alma Whittingham's sister, Phyllis. I used my clothes coupons to buy a very attractive navy and white suit and some glamorous underwear. On the big day I carried a bouquet of red carnations and was the proudest person alive.

We came across a little snag when arranging the reception that Mitchell's of Worthing were organising, as my father said no alcoholic drink was to be served. However, we overcame this by having drinks prepared at the newly furnished flat. Bernard's sister, Eva, organised everything. Bernard and I arranged to be picked up at the flat, after changing there, and a whisper was given to those guests whom we thought would like to drink our health.

The day before the wedding there was a little consternation because the certificate, which was to come from where Bernard was now stationed, had consequently had to have marriage banns read, and had not arrived as expected. Without it the marriage could not take place. However, it arrived first post on the actual wedding day and Rev. Parrott duly performed the ceremony. Bob Buckwell was best man and my father, Frank Lisher, gave me away, glad I expect, to get rid of a rather headstrong daughter, who would not always bend to his will.

A honeymoon was booked at Timberscombe Guesthouse at Fernhurst near Midhurst. We were lucky that Mr Oates, the Health Officer for WRDC offered to take us in his car. I think he was pleased to have the excuse to take one of my guests, Rosemary Jordan, with him. Timberscombe, an old timber house, was to look at, a most romantic place and we were given a good welcome as we entered the lounge, which had a lovely inglenook fire burning. We chatted with other guests until we thought we could, without making it too obvious, make our way to the bedroom. Here we had a little re-arranging to do as we were greeted with twin beds, so we pushed them together and made them as one, and reorganised them in the morning.

The proprietor provided typed walks, with directions to follow, in order that the surrounding countryside could be explored. Well away from all thoughts of war and bombs, our married life commenced.

On our return to Lancing we visited the Grace family who'd been friends of Bernard's parents for many years. The cat had just had kittens and so Figaro came to live with us. I think Bernard and I had our first tiff when I got upset because the kitten was scratching our armchairs.

Bernard was home each weekend. I played tennis at Lancing Manor Tennis Club whenever there was spare time, but this wasn't often as I was always doing ARP duty for someone who was doing my weekend duty. The great advantage, however, of doing ARP duty was that we were fed and this, together with what little extra Eileen could spare from the grocer's shop, enabled me to feed Bernard at weekends. (We were currently renting our flat at 3 The Regal, from Eileen).

It was a wonderful life, Bernard and I would go dancing and Saturday afternoon would go together to the tennis club. Reading letters I wrote during this first six months of marriage I felt sorry for Bernard because of my continual reference of my desire to start a family, and Bernard's more mature reasoning that it was not the time to bring a child into the World. I always accepted his wishes and co-operated to fulfil his thoughts on the subject.

However, there was a war on and the honeymoon had to come to an end when Bernard received a posting abroad. How upset I was as we had no idea of where he was going or how long he'd be away. Life in England and even Lancing was uncertain as many bombs were jettisoned in the area as the German planes were chased from our island.

Before I'd knowledge of where Bernard was, my sister, Marjorie was married to George Elgar. George had gone into the army but had been discharged because of psychological unsuitability.

I was matron of honour and wore a dress my sister had purchased for one or two dances she'd attended. I wasn't particularly fond of it, but it was wartime and clothes were rationed. I had to hide my misery that day as it was my sister's special day, but I felt resentment that George had been discharged and Marjorie was going to have him around all the time, whilst Bernard had been temporarily taken from me.'

Bernard continued with the RAF until the end of the war, when he returned home safely to Eve, to continue their wonderfully happy life together.