Former soldiers reunited after more than 60 years

12:43pm Thursday 28th August 2008

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A CHANCE conversation has reunited two former soldiers after more than 60 years.

Wally Plail and Peter Rose both joined the Army in 1940.

They were friends for two years before Mr Plail was transferred to North Africa and Mr Rose was sent to Newcastle. They then lost touch.

But on August 9, during a conversation between Mr Plail and Ann Thompson, the sister of his daughter-in-law, they discovered she knew his old pal.

The following day, 55-year-old Mrs Thompson bumped into Mr Rose in the Asda store in Swanley and told him she knew Mr Plail.

And on August 24 Mrs Thompson, of Edgar Close, Swanley, put on a party so the two men could meet up again.

Mr Rose, of Durant Road, Hextable, said: "I was surprised. I knew he was alive but I didn't know where he was.

"We were friends for a couple of years and used to go around together. We would drink together and go to the cinema and social clubs."

The 86-year-old added: "The reunion was a happy occasion but very emotional and things got on top of me."

Mr Plail, who is also 86 and lives in Nightingale Lane, Bromley, said: "We were really quite friendly and would come home on leave together.

"Peter's mum would make me stay for tea. He had lovely parents. I couldn't refuse her bread. The reunion was so emotional, it was overwhelming."

Both men joined the East Surrey Regiment in 1940.

Mr Rose turned 19 on the day he joined, while Mr Plail was 18.

Both men have two sons and each also worked as a postman for 20 years.

Mr Plail, who has two grandchildren, worked in Bromley.

His friend, who has six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, was a postman in Hextable.

After the party, Mrs Thompson said: "I was just so pleased when I told them both about each other. I was delighted for them. It was so emotional when they both met."

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