The Great Western Railway office in Old Warwick Road, Leamington, was where Ronald Burcham, 84, and Edna, 81, first met in 1941.

Mr Burcham was a messenger boy and his future wife worked in the goods department.

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It was love at first sight, but the couple were soon separated as Ronald signed up to the Royal Air Force and joined a Canadian training unit.

He became a wireless operator on Halifax bombers and completed 40 missions over Germany during the war and eight trips to Calcutta after May 8, 1945.

During that "very worrying time", Mrs Burcham said the couple's romance was sustained by regular letters.

When Ronald was demobbed, having been promoted to flight lieutenant, they married the day after her 21st birthday - June 28.

Mrs Burcham said: "My mother said we could get married when I was 21. I waited one day then had a lovely wedding at St Margaret's church in Whitnash, where I'm still a member of the congregation."

After living with her mother for three years in St George's Road, Leamington, they moved to South Way, where they still live today.

Mr Burcham took up his old job for the railway company before going on to work as a sales rep for the building trade until he retired at 75.

His wife was a dinner lady at St Patrick's Primary School for 27 years, a job which she "loved", and retired from at the age of 68.

The couple have one great-grandchild, six grandchildren and three children, Mike, 55, Sue, 53, and Jonathan, 49.

Talking about their happy marriage, Mrs Burcham said: "I loved him dearly right from the start. He has always been there for me."
Mr Burcham added: "We have a lot in common and enjoy being in one anothers' company."

The pair are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary with a party at their son Mike's home in Whitnash.

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