Jim and Dorris Cohen, from Loughton, to mark 70th anniversary on Wednesday

Despite wartime turmoil, Jim and Dorris Cohen, from Loughton, married on April 2 1944 at All Hallows Church in Tottenham.

The Cohen’s were both serving in the forces until the end of the war, but maintained the relationship through telegrams and the few visits they could manage.

Mrs Cohen, now 94, was called up first and joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service.

She said: “I was one of the first women to be called up, I was working in Tottenham Court Road at the time.

“I had to choose between munitions and the services. I chose the army because I knew I would get more leave.

“I was based in Aldershot and [Mr Cohen] would come and see me.

“Then, when I got 24 hours leave, he would pay for me to go to him.”

Mr Cohen, now 93, joined the Fleet Air Arm as a mechanic in 1944.

Mr Cohen was stationed in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese formalised its surrender aboard the USS Missouri.

He also met King George VI, describing him as “very polite”.

One of the most testing times in their young relationship came when Mr Cohen was blown off of a ship by a kamikaze bomber.

He was found in the water and taken to Australia onboard a ship with a hospital.

For six months Mrs Cohen had no idea what had happened to her husband.

Mr and Mrs Cohen have three children, four grandchildren, three great grandchildren and four great, great grandchildren.

But Mrs Cohen says that it was not exactly love at first sight.

She said: “He came to my house with his friend on my 21st birthday in 1940. His friend wanted to go out with my sister.

“At first I said to her ‘where did you dig this one up?’. But he asked me out and it developed from there.

“We’ve had a good marriage. We’ve had arguments but never stand up rows.

“After we’ve had an argument we have a cup of tea and right away it breaks the ice.”

They will celebrate with family on Wednesday, including their daughter who is joining them from Australia.