ON the day the war started two former pupils of Chippenham Grammar School met by chance at a viewpoint overlooking the US base at Guantanamo, Cuba.
Ironically, Gill Minter and John Fairbank, pictured above, were casting an eye over the camp that still holds Al Quaida prisoners, responsible for the September 11 terrorist attacks, while America and Britain waged war on Iraq in the name of defeating terrorism.
Miss Minter was on a package holiday when she met Mr Fairbank at the viewpoint.
"We realised we shared the same background and indeed knew some of the same teachers," said Miss Minter.
Mr Fairbank left the Grammar School in 1941 and Miss Minter entered in 1947. They also discovered that they had both travelled widely since leaving the school and were now both retired.
Miss Minter has travelled to Nigeria and Hong Kong and Mr Fairbank to Botswana.
"We thoroughly enjoyed the holiday but found the US military presence, unlawful in Cuban eyes, somewhat disturbing," said Miss Minter.
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