SLAITHWAITE couple Lionel and Jean Allen celebrated their diamond wedding.
The couple first met when they were living just 100 yards away from each other in Birstall.
Mrs Allen, 85, said: “We knew each other, but because we went to different schools – me at Bradford, him at Heckmondwike – we didn’t get together for a while.
“ We then both went into the forces and met each other again when we were on leave. We got talking, found we were doing similar things in the forces and he asked me to write to him while he was away.”
The couple were parted while Mrs Allen worked as a wireless operator for the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), while Mr Allen, 86, maintained communications equipment, working in the UK and Germany.
But they remained in touch and were married at St Peter’s Parish Church, Birstall, on September 12, 1949.
The couple lived in Hawthorne Road, Slaithwaite, before settling in Ing Head Road, Slaithwaite.
The couple have three children and five grandchildren.
Mrs Allen was a housewife while her husband worked as a maintenance engineer for the BBC and later fitted hearing aids.
The couple enjoy reading, gardening and travelling together.
They celebrated with a meal for family and friends at Cedar Court Hotel. (AC070909Bdiam)
