Brighton husband and wife could be UK's oldest couple

Doris and Reginald Woolgar, from Brighton, got married during the Second World War on August 30, 1942.

The pair met at the Regent Dance Hall in Brighton in 1937 as teenagers when Reginald, then 17, who is known affectionately by friends and family as Reg, struck up conversation with Doris, who was then 15.

“I asked for a dance,” said Reg.

“And then after a lot of persuasion I got a date.”

Reginald and Doris Woolgar on their wedding day on August 30, 1942 (Image: The Woolgar family)

When asked how they knew each other was the one, Doris said: “I just think he’s lovely.”

“Everyone says he’s charming.”

She said Reg would take her to Lewes to see the bonfire celebrations and would always look after her.

“My mother liked him because he looked after me,” she said.

“He told me he fell for me straight away.”

Reg said: “Well just look at her, how could I not?”

Last year, Doris and Reg celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary with a party at the Malmaison in Brighton with 40 of their friends and family.

It made up for Reg’s missed 100th birthday, which had to be cancelled in March 2020 due to Covid.

Doris and Reg at Malmaison in Brighton celebrating their 80th wedding anniversary (Image: The Woolgar family)

The couple said the secret to a happy marriage is tolerance and kindness.

Reg served in the RAF for eight years and during the Second World War he was in Bomber Command and did two tours.

During a flight in February 1942 his engine failed, and the aircraft crashed into the sea.

“Our port engine stopped, and we couldn’t feather it so it was a bit of a drag,” he said.

“We began to lose height from about 18,000 to 4,000 feet and we chucked out all heavy gear.

“We crossed France and came over the sea and eventually we ran out of petrol, and we crashed into the sea.

Get more stories delivered to your inbox every day by signing up to our morning newsletter

“The nose broke and we got into a dinghy, the four of us, and we were rescued.

“It was the biggest coincidence imaginable.

“We saw a sea plane called a Walrus and it flew near us and about three hours later a Naval boat came out and picked us up.

“The crew said we were heading into a minefield.

“One of my nine lives. I used six of them in the RAF.”

Reg was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service.

After leaving the RAF Reg became a chartered surveyor.

Doris completed a hairdressing apprenticeship and throughout her life has been active with charity work.

Doris and Reg have lived in their home in Brighton for more than 50 years and are supported by four carers.

One of their carers, Helen Jewell, said the couple are “incredibly kind” to each other and “love a party”.

Reg and Doris five years ago (Image: The Woolgar family)

The couple loved going on holiday and before the pandemic enjoyed going on cruises.

They would often drive to the Continent, visited America and had an apartment in Majorca for 14 years, where they would host their friends.

The couple met members of the Royal Family at the RAF Club when the Bomber Command memorial in London’s Green Park was unveiled in 2012.

They have also received cards from the Queen and King Charles congratulating them on reaching their respective 100th birthdays.

Their close-knit family is very important to them, and the couple are full of praise for their team of carers.

“We have a really wonderful family,” said Reg.

“They help us a great deal.

“And we have a fantastic team of carers.”

“We never stop laughing,” said Doris.

“We’re always laughing.”