Doris puzzled at Shropshire wartime graffiti

The names were found in the Big Red's House craft and antiques centre in Whitchurch by Simon Tooth.

And after an appeal in the Shropshire Star Doris Mills got in touch.

The names of Doris Young, Doris's maiden name, and her late husband Les Mills were written on the wall in 1944, before the couple married shortly after the war.

But Mrs Mills, now 92 and still living in the town, said she had no idea how the names got on the wall. She said: "It is puzzling me.

"I worked in the Lloyds grocery store on High Street. I can't fully remember but I think this must have been some kind of store room for the shop.

"I don't know if I wrote it, but I am sure Les didn't as it is not his handwriting and he would not have been allowed in here."

Mr and Mrs Mills met at a dance in the town and were married in St Alkmund's Church shortly after World War II.

Mr Mills, who served in the RAF and was based in Tilstock, died in 1997.

"It is a mystery as to why the names are on there," said Mrs Mills.

"But seeing them has taken me back."

Mrs Mills said that the names could have been written by her former work colleague in Lloyds, Vera Williams, whose name also appears.

"She was a devil," Mrs Mills joked. "But then again I've always been one to have a laugh, and also a bit of a devil, so I can't fully rule out it was not me, but I really do not remember doing it at all."

Mr Tooth discovered the romantic graffiti while he was working upstairs getting the workshops and therapy rooms ready at the Big Red's House.

He said: "The stairwell was full of graffiti dating back to 1943-45 and the same names kept on coming up. Other graffiti includes USA and RAF, and every time there is a name they have put the date next to it."

The wall has largely been repainted but one square, which has the names of Doris and Les on it, has had a frame put around it and will be preserved as a keepsake.

Big Red's House is a suicide awareness charity established in 2012 by Mr Tooth and Christian Leivers.