A THURROCK couple who met in an air raid shelter during the blitz have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.
Charles and Gwendoline Cornwall of Rosemary Close, South Ockendon, were married 60 years ago at St Mark's Church in Finsbury, London, on May 15 1948.
As Nazi doodle bugs rained on Britain a relationship was blossoming between the teenage Charles, 15, and Gwen, 14, in an air raid shelter near Kings Cross in London.
At first it was friendship but within four years they had fallen in love and decided to tie the knot.
They were both 18 and 19 at the time.
Gwen, 78, said patience is the secret to their long marriage.
She said: "Patience is our secret. Without bugging one another and just loving eachother it keeps our love flowing."
Charles, 79, and Gwen, have three children, nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
They celebrated the landmark anniversary with a party for all their friends and family.
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