Wallington couple celebrate 70 years of marriage (From Sutton Guardian)

Wallington couple Diana and Tony Holmes celebrate 70 years of marriage

6:00am Friday 19th October 2012 in News By Sophia Sleigh, Reporter

A couple who married during the Second World War are celebrating 70 years of marriage.

Tony, 92, and Diana Holmes, 91, will celebrate their platinum wedding anniversary on Saturday, October 20 at La Veranda in Carshalton.

Mrs Holmes will wear her mother's aquamarine and diamond pendant, the same one she wore on their wedding day.

She said: "When a bride got married she wore something borrowed, something blue and so on.

"This pendant covers three of those things and it has been used since then by many brides in my family.

The couple married on October 20, 1942 after a friend introduced them and they have remained close friends with her ever since.

Mr Holmes worked in the Navy so the couple, originally from Plymouth, lived in various locations including India.

Mrs Holmes said: "My niece who was my bridesmaid have come over from Canada to see us. She’s come over especially for the celebration.

"We have had great difficulties in our life but we have overcome them.

"We have not had an easy 70 years.

"We are happy together. We laugh a lot we and we try to keep ourselves cheerful.

"He’s been a wonderful husband and he has looked after me for the last six years after I had a fall."

Their daughter, Lucy Wolffe, said they are wonderful grandparents to their seven grand children and two great grandchildren.

She said: "I think they are utterly devoted to each other.

"They are the best grandparents. My husband died when my youngest was a baby and I had young children and my parents were so wonderful.

"My children are totally devoted to them - they are fantastic."

The couple moved to Wallington 15 years ago and regularly visit St Patrick’s Church in Wallington for lunches.