A World War II hero who survived the failed Dunkirk invasion with a photograph of his sweetheart in his pocket, has celebrated his 75th wedding anniversary.
Brave Norman Johnson, 97, swam through the waters to the safety of a boat with a snap of his bride Joyce wrapped in a 100,000 Deutsche Mark for protection.
The devoted pair have now marked their diamond wedding anniversary – and Mr Johnson still has the photo complete with a salt stain from the sea and the banknote.
The couple, from Sheffield, South Yorks., lived in the same area growing up and met in their early teenage years.
Norman Johnson and his wife Joyce
Mrs Johnson said: “I took a fancy to him. He was going to night school so I decided to go as well and do dressmaking.
“We used to walk home together and we got to go steady. He couldn’t escape me.”
Mr Johnson was conscripted into the army during the war.
He travelled to France and was safely evacuated from the beach at Dunkirk.
A hasty wedding was organised when he was on leave and celebrated in a local pub.
VIDEO: Dunkirk veteran celebrates 75 years of marriage
