Courting for five years married for 60

Bill Perks, a former sailor who served on the Destroyer HMS Walker in the Second World War, met Betty Pugh through her brother John who was an ex Royal Marine.

The couple dated for five years before they married at St John the Baptist church in Tachbrook Street, Leamington, on March 29 1952.

Mr Perks said: “She had everything I wanted.

“She was good looking, good tempered and she is such a nice girl.

“But we might still be courting if it wasn’t for her mother telling us to get married.”

The couple moved to Buckley Road in 1953 and have lived there ever since.

Mrs Perks, 85, worked at an insurance brokers and at Henry Griffiths based at the old jewel factory in Tachbrook Road, while Mr Perks was the chairman of Leamington Sea Cadets and was once given a Citizen of the Year award for his work with the organisation.

The couple have three children, Linda, Jane and Ian and five grandchildren, Claire, Sian, Hayley, Adam and Christopher.

Mr Perks, who also celebrated his 87th birthday last Saturday, said: “Time has really just passed by and we’ve always been together and shared everything with each other.”

Mr Perks sailed on nine convoys to Russia during the war and still retains his naval ties.

Long-time members of the Royal Naval Association Club, the couple attend various events and meet friends at the club’s headquarters where they are holding a party with family and friends today (Friday).

Mrs Perks said: “It’s exciting to be celebrating 60 years together, we’re having a really nice time.