A VETERAN of the Second World War who was evacuated from Dunkirk is fighting to live with his wife of 72 years.
George Thompson is facing his toughest challenge as he copes with the tragedy of watching his wife slip away through dementia.
The 93-year-old says his experiences – watching a loved one's mind slowly wane while people and medicine are powerless to do anything about it – represents the hidden tragedy of growing old.
Mr Thompson, who lives in Hillhouse Court, Billericay, has been apart from his wife Joyce, who has been in respite care in Queens Park Court home, for the past two months.
He met Joyce 75 years ago, just before he was sent to war as a driver with the Signals, firstly in Dunkirk, then later in the Western Desert against Rommel, until eventually he was posted to the Far East.
He finished the war at the North West frontier, as punishment for attacking his RSM (Regimental Sergeant Major) who had told him he could not go home when he expected to.
But his greatest fear is he might never be able to bring Joyce, 93, back home to the flat in Hillhouse Court they shared for 17 years before the dementia started to take its toll on her around a year ago.
George, who eventually returned home to start a career in banking, said: "I'm not physically sick myself. I've been her carer for eight years. It's taken its toll on my legs and back. My brain is beautiful. I feel fine.
"But my wife is in respite. The idea is to go there for me to have a rest. But now there's talk I might not get her back and that what's worrying me because I might not get her back. And it's heartbreaking.
"After all that campaigning and being separated for all that time, we just couldn't bear to be apart. We still can't. We used to go out a lot. We've had a wonderful life. We've had some fun.
"And after all that I've been through in the war, we've never been in trouble with police, never been in debt, nor have our children. We don't like being parted but it looks now as if we have to be.
What is most frustrating for George is that he is unable to share the same bed as Joyce.
George said: "I would like to get her back here for a little bit longer if I can, but I know I can't look after her in the long term.
"I can't stay there with her. There's no point me moving in there, because we can't share a room.
"We are both so unhappy with the same situation. There may be a lot of other people in the same boat, but I've always been proud about my relationship with my wife.
"It seems such a tragedy at this point to be forced apart because of her illness."
Management at Queens Park Court have said George is welcome any time and can spend as much time with Joyce as he wishes.
He is also looking at transferring his council house to one nearer the care home to make it easier to visit.
