U.S. MARRIAGES IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 26945, 22 January 1953, Page 2

U.S. MARRIAGES IN BRITAIN

NEARLY 3000 AIRMEN IN FOUR YEARS

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, January 21. Since the United States Air Force set up post-war stations in Britain more than four years ago, nearly 3000 of its members have married British women, says the “Daily Telegraph.” The newspaper quotes an American spokesman as saying that this marriage rate is increasing proportionately as more Americans come to England. American servicemen in Britain now total 35.000. The time between an airman’s application to his squadron commander and the date of marriage is usually about three months. An applicant must have at least 300 dollars—about £lo7—in the bank, and his fiancee must satisfy the United States authorities that she has no major physical defect. Inquiries also must be made to see that she has never engaged “in activities prejudicial to the public interest” which would prevent her obtaining a visa for America.