Hubert Smith, known as Bertie, and his wife of 53 years, Sylvia, who usually went by Mary, were both long-time supporters of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).

The couple met when Bertie was doing National Service in Wincanton. He was 20 and Sylvia, who lived in the Somerset town and who was known as Mary, was 22.   

Bertie and Mary Smith, of Thetford (Image: Family)

After falling in love, they decided to get married and settled in Bertie’s hometown of Thetford.   

Their big day was in June 1953, and Mary travelled to Norfolk by train on the day of Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation.   

Bertie worked as a builder, and........

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