Rustington couple celebrate their diamond wedding

The matrimonial milestone was toasted by friends and family, following a special item of post from the Queen, congratulating the couple on their success.

Bill, 81, and Audrey, 82, of Broadmark Lane, Rustington, met at a dance at RAF St Athan, near Cardiff, where Bill was stationed, in 1950.

In what they describe as a “whirlwind of a relationship”, the couple tied the knot on August 23, 1951, only 10 months later.

“We’ve had such a happy and wonderful time together and we’re looking forward to many more,” said Audrey.

Bill and Andrey travelled the world while Bill worked in the RAF, as a flight engineer, for more than 30 years.

The couple have also raised two children and have five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

They now help to run a jewellery stall at the RAF Benevolent Fund’s Princess Marina House, in Rustington, during their spare time.

Both admit that there is no secret or magic spell to a long and happy marriage, just plain old hard work.

Bill said: “We’re quite happy being alone and we don’t need to talk to each other every second of the day.

“We know one another just so well we really don’t need to live under one another’s feet.

“There isn’t any secret to having a happy marriage like ours.

“People just have to work hard to sometimes make a relationship work.”

Audrey added their relationship had been built on strong foundations while Bill was serving in the RAF that helped see it through all the difficult patches.

She said: “Life in the services is completely different from civvy life.

“You’re apart for so long that when you get to spend time together, you relish the chance, and you stay together.

“It’s something that I used to tell my children, that when you get married you have to like somebody as well as love them.”

Last year Bill was awarded the MBE – he received the accolade from Prince Charles – for his 25 years as editor-in-chief of the RAF apprentices’ magazine, The Haltonian, a job he began after he left the service.

Bill grew up in Climping, attending the village school with his late brother, Ken, who also received the MBE, while Audrey’s roots are in Wales.