A HOLIDAY romance at the seaside blossomed into 50 years of wedded bliss for an Oakes couple.
Louie and Brian Handley met in Bridlington in 1949. She was 15 and he was 18.
Mr Handley, 72, lived at Hartshead and his wife, 69, at Sheepridge.
They met regularly after returning and their romance lasted, despite him being away for 14 months while on active service in Korea with the Duke of Wellington's Regiment. Last week was the 50th anniversary of his return from the front line.
The couple were married on special licence 50 years ago at the register office in Huddersfield Town Hall - and four days later Mr Handley was posted to Gibraltar. He was there 12 months.
Mr Handley was a motor transport driver and later a padre's batman in Gibraltar. He was demobbed in 1954.
Meanwhile, his wife was working as a worsted mender in mills around Huddersfield.
Mr Handley became a driver for Drakes seed merchants, of Honley, and took a series of jobs, ending his working life at Hopkinson's of Birkby.
The couple have a daughter and two sons, five grandchildren and two great-grandsons.
To celebrate their anniversary, the couple will have a party for family and friends at the Britannia Sports Club, Salendine Nook.
