Sixty years apart and reunited by the Guardian (From Warrington Guardian)

Sixty years apart and reunited by the Guardian

TWO local war veterans have been reunited after more than 60 years apart - and it is all thanks to the Crewe Guardian.

Eric Morrey and Ronald Hornby have met for the first time in six decades after they both served their country with distinction in World War Two.

The pair, pictured left, were the only English flight engineers on 463 Waddington Squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force.

But after the war, they lost touch with each other when Eric moved to Crewe after getting married.

But they were reunited after 82-year-old Ronald spotted an article about Eric in World War Two - An Account of Local Stories, which was compiled by the Crewe Guardian and other newspapers in the Newsquest Cheshire/Merseyside Group.

Eric, aged 84, of Rybank Avenue, said: "It all started when Ron's granddaughter bought one of the Guardian's World War Two magazines.

"Ron was very surprised when he saw the article about me in there, and he got in touch with the Guardian editor, Paul Smith.

"Paul called round to my house with Ron's details, and we arranged to meet up.

"It was 60 years since we'd last seen each other, and it was a very pleasant surprise.

"We had a nice conversation about all the good times and bad times that we experienced, and we'll definitely be keeping in touch."

Copies of World War Two - An Account of Local Stories, can be purchased from the Crewe Guardian office in High Street, priced £3.