MICHAEL Kapuscinski of Bream has had, some would say, quite a life leading up to August 14 this year when he celebrates 70 happy years with his wife Catherine.

The former Polish Tank Corps commander fought a brave war in which he was captured by the Germans, managing to escape and go on the run.

He found his way to the French resisitance fighters and helped form the First Polish Tank Regiment under French command to go back into battle – only to face another bitter battle with little support.

"A shortage of fuel forced us to abandon our tanks and after smashing the equipment, we left the tanks in the woods.

Only 26 of us were left, trying to escape from France.

"We had one lorry and one motorcycle and made out way towards the Spanish border near Biarritz where we caught a ship to Plymouth."

Meeting Catherine in Scotland, Micheal did not see their first daughter, Cathy, until she was 10 months old – he signed up for the British Army and served another 22 years. They had three sons, Micheal jnr, Zig and Stefan – who later beame an RAF officer but was unfortunately killed in a collision on a bike ride for charity.

The end of service saw the couple living in many parts of Britain but finally in Bream where they have been for 30 happy years.

They now have eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren!

"As a 93-year-old he's still a fighting Pole," said daughter in law Yvonne Kapuscinski, who will be helping Michael and Catherine (90) celebrate their platinum anniversary.