- Title: GERMANY: British bride and German POW celebrate 60 years of marriage
- Date: 26th August 2007
- Summary: CARD WITH PHOTO OF JUNE AND HEINZ FELLBRICH KISSING OVER A FENCE IN 1947
- Embargoed: 10th September 2007 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Germany
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVA61LWXXQDODJE3QP9LBEM3BDBM
- Story Text: In love with the enemy, June Fellbrich was the first British woman who fell in love and married a German prisoner of war during Wold War II.
This weekend, the 79-year old Fellbrich and her husband, 86-year old Heinz Fellbrich, celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary at a reception in Hamburg, Germany.
Even after 60 years, "He was so handsome," gushed June Fellbrich, reminiscing back to when the couple met.
The Fellbrichs met in Southhampton where Heinz was imprisoned. June spotted him on the other side of the fence and was immediately attracted. The couple wed shortly after meeting.
But their wedding day was cut short when Heinz was taken back to his camp after the ceremony, the couple parted with a quick kiss over the fence.
"He had to be back in camp by 10 o'clock, by dusk every night. And that's how it was. I had to say 'Goodnight' to him over the fence. And he was still in the prisoner-of-war camp for six months after we were married. He still had to go back at dusk every night," remembers the then bride.
Heinz Fellbrich was released in 1948 and the newlyweds went on to have six children and 12 grandchildren. Today the couple live in Eastleigh, Hampshire in Southern England.
The wedding photograph capturing their kiss over the fence caused a storm of indignation worldwide. The couple received hate-mail and were spat on in the street, "Aren't our boys in England good enough for you? You have to go with a German?" June remembers people saying But the Fellbrich's love lasted and June and Heinz say they know the reason why: "You must always give and take. Always. Never always be right," said June.
As Mr and Mrs Fellbrich celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary at a reception with friends and family in Hamburg, they are testimony to the fact that the path to true love doesn't always run smooth. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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