Veteran couple's memories preserved forever as time capsule planted at airfield

THEY fell in love while working at a naval base, serving their country.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Nov 2018, 21:59 BST
Updated 10th Nov 2018, 08:59 BST
Veterans Mollie and Eddie ReesVeterans Mollie and Eddie Rees
Veterans Mollie and Eddie Rees

Now a Royal Navy couple have returned to immortalise their special day '“ more than 55 years later.

Edward and Mollie Rees met at HMS Daedalus in Lee-on-the-Solent while Mollie was working as a WREN chef.

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In 1961, the couple got married in Gosport, and have spent the rest of their lives happily together in the area.

Christmas decorations up in the Blake Block of the Daedalus base in 1960. Provided by Eddie and Mollie ReesChristmas decorations up in the Blake Block of the Daedalus base in 1960. Provided by Eddie and Mollie Rees
Christmas decorations up in the Blake Block of the Daedalus base in 1960. Provided by Eddie and Mollie Rees

Now a time capsule has been buried at the site of 200 new homes that are being built on the site by Wates Residential '“ with photos of the happy couple inside.

Mollie, 76, said: '˜The church at HMS Daedalus wasn't ordained so we had to leave the camp to get married.

'˜We still managed to have a full naval wedding service though '“ it was exactly what we had both dreamed of.

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'˜I only did two years in the navy, but that was enough for us to fall in love.

Local pupils from Lee-on-the-Solent Junior School, bury a time capsule at Daedalus Village with veterans Mollie and Eddie ReesLocal pupils from Lee-on-the-Solent Junior School, bury a time capsule at Daedalus Village with veterans Mollie and Eddie Rees
Local pupils from Lee-on-the-Solent Junior School, bury a time capsule at Daedalus Village with veterans Mollie and Eddie Rees

'˜It's hard to believe that we were that young once.'

Husband Edward Rees, who served for 25 years in the Royal Navy, said: '˜Everyone always joked that the gates at Daedalus weren't to stop people getting in, but to stop the WRENs getting out.

'˜It was lovely to be included in the time capsule with everything else in there.

'˜We've got a granddaughter who lives around here too, so in 25 years she might be one of those who digs the capsule up.'

The wedding of Eddie and Mollie ReesThe wedding of Eddie and Mollie Rees
The wedding of Eddie and Mollie Rees
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Also included in the time capsule, which won't be opened until 2043, were historic pictures of Daedalus, newsletters from the Lee Residents' Association and Gosport Aviation Society, and a copy of The News.

With this weekend marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, some poppies were added to the time capsule by pupils from Lee-on-the-Solent Junior School.

Students, alongside Mollie and Edward, helped bury the capsule just outside what is now Solent Airport '“ next to where the 200 homes will be built by Wates Residential.

Bradley Williams, Year 3, said: '˜I really liked how we had poppies to put in to remember the war.

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'˜I hope we're around to come back and open it when we're older '“ this has been the best day ever.'

Speaking at the burial of the time capsule, Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage added: '˜Daedalus is so important to people in Gosport '“ it represents courage, innovation and part of our local history.

'˜I am very excited about the time capsule because it captures everything we want to say about our lives today, and our positivity for the future.'

Related topics:GosportLee-on-the-SolentRoyal NavyCaroline Dinenage