Incredible love story revealed as Sunderland First World War soldier's postcards home to sweetheart from The Front reunited with granddaughter

It was only last week when we asked ‘can anyone tell us more about doting couple Alf Rodenby and Hannah Walker?’

Private Rodenby, of the 3rd Reserve Battalion in the Durham Light Infantry, wrote the sweetest messages to Hannah in Sunderland while he was serving away from home on The Front in the First World War.

Those beautifully embroidered postcards came to the Echo’s attention when Vic Gibson and his wife Karin, who run the Vintage at Maysons shop in Keswick, bought them at an antiques fair.

Vic and the Echo wondered if Alf ever made it home safely from the war – and did he get to marry the woman of his dreams?

The answer is yes! And we have Alf and Hannah’s granddaughter Sheila Lester to thank for sharing the rest of the wonderful tale.

Incredibly, Alf only made it home after the most remarkable piece of luck.

"He was shot at during his time in France but the bullet hit his backpack in which he was carrying a large crucifix and, although the crucifix was broken, my grandfather sustained no injury,” said Sheila.

“Alfred returned to the North East after the war and married Hannah on May 27, 1919 in Sunderland.”

Sheila added: “Grandad passed away in 1971 and Nanna in 1974.”

They left behind a loving family of 5 children, 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, 17 great, great grandchildren and one great, great, great grandchild.

The couple moved from Wearside to Slough in the 1930s and Sheila told us: “Alfred became a lay preacher for the Methodist Church in Chalvey, Slough and Hannah became part of the Women’s Institute attached to the church. Alfred even christened a couple of his great grandsons which was a lovely day for the family.”

“The family would like to thank Vic and Karin Gibson for their great kindness in trying to locate the family of Alfred and Hannah which has started this journey. Also, to the lady who saw the article in the Sunderland Echo and contacted us and, of course, the Sunderland Echo who found the story of interest and decided to print the article about the postcards.”

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