The Cardins celebrated 70 years of marriage at their Ladysmith nursing home, Lodge on 4th, Sept. 16.
Clarence Cardin, 97, is a retired war veteran from Saskatchewan, and his wife, Vera, 91, is a World War Two “war bride” from England.
The milestone was commemorated with a Happy Anniversary cake, and entertainer Keith Philips also serenaded the couple with love songs such as Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling in Love with You.
Vera says that she and Clarence have always been happy together.
“We just appreciate and take care of each other,” said Vera, who held hands with Clarence that Saturday afternoon as the couple was wished a happy anniversary.
Clarence first met Vera when he was stationed in England during the war when he served in the anti-aircraft artillery force.
Vera still vividly remembers the night she met Clarence.
She had been at the movies with her friend Nora when they were approached by Clarence and his friend, and they all ended up walking home together.
“We had to walk about a mile in the dark,” Vera said with a smile, “and I didn’t even know what he looked like, and he didn’t know what I looked like!”
The couple married in Crayford, England, and only a few years later, Clarence was seriously injured during the Ortona battle in Italy.
Vera still has the telegram that was delivered to her early in the morning. A shell had landed only four feet away from Clarence, sending shrapnel into his chest and back and barely missing his jugular and major arteries.
“A lot of women went through living hell with that war,” said Vera.
She also explained how they were so busy during wartime that they barely saw each other.
After Clarence recovered from his injury, he went home to Canada, and shortly after, Vera came over on a boat from England with other war brides.
Clarence worked in Victoria as a stationary engineer, and Vera took care of their two sons, Trevor and Gene.
— Submitted by Leah Myers