Lily and Ernie Witcombe have lived in the same Welling house since 1948. This week Lily turned 100, while the couple celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary in January. The occasion gave Ernie, 96, the chance to reflect on a lifetime of love in south-east London. He talked to PATRICK GRAFTON-GREEN.

Lily Witcombe celebrated her 100th birthday last Monday (September 23), receiving more than 100 balloons, bouquets and cards from friends and acquaintances, as well as a visit from the Mayor of Bexley.

However one person has been consistently present throughout most of her life - her husband, Ernie.

The couple met on new year's eve in 1939, at a dance in Seymour Hall, Marylebone. 

Ernie, who lived in the east end at the time, spotted Lily from across the room.

This Is Local London:

Lily and Ernie with son Barry Witcombe, Mayor of Bexley Coun Howard Marriner and the Mayor's consort Dianne Marriner

Ernie said: "In those days the men stood on one side of the hall and the ladies stood on the other side.

"One of the guys I was with said: 'Which one of the girls do you fancy?'

"I said I fancy that girl. That girl was Lily. 

"They dared me to go over to her. I did and asked her for a dance. 

"We spent the night in each other's company and at the end I said: 'I'll give you my address if you give me yours'.

"I got a shock when I saw she lived in Barclay Street, Mayfair. Imagine an eastender meeting a woman like that."

Despite living worlds apart, the couple met for a first date, at the Ritz. Ernie bought a special new suit for the occasion. 

They were married weeks later.

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Lily and Ernie on their wedding day at St Peter's Church, Forest Gate, in January 1940

In 1947, Ernie returned from serving in the army - in which he was a clerk serving in the office of two colonels - and the following year they moved to Okehampton Crescent, Welling. 

The couple have lived there ever since, and much has changed in that time. When they first arrived only one person on the road owned a car.

Ernie said: "Every Sunday he used to put it outside the front of his house, half covered with a white sheet.

"People used to come by and say: 'Look, that guy's got a car'.

"Now everyone owns one, two, three, four cars. The road has changed terrifically. It was a lot quieter back then."

Also in 1948 Ernie and Lily set up Witcombe Cycles, based in Deptford, which they have spent their lives running.

At one point it was the biggest bicycle manufacturing firm in the UK, taking its business all over the world, including the United States, Italy, Japan, France and Belgium.

This Is Local London:

Lily and Ernie with son Barry

Talking of Lily's special day, Ernie said: "She got over 100 bouquets and balloons and cards from all over the place. They came from everywhere. You wouldn't believe it.

"The whole day went very well. It was wonderful."