Platinum couple celebrate 70 years of wedded bliss
A RUSKINGTON couple are celebrating an amazing 70 years of happy marriage together.
Gerald and Esme Keats have lived in Park Lea, Ruskington for the last 15 years but were both born and bred in Bristol.
They met through a mutual friend but, as it was during the Second World War, Gerald, now 91, was called up into the Army as a member of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and posted to Surrey.
Bristol was being bombed heavily at the time and so in 1940 he sent for Esme (now 88) and got a special licence to marry at Guildford in the register office. The best man and witness were passing soldiers who they have never seen or heard from since.
They have two sons - David and Martin, and now have five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Gerald was finally demobbed and they moved back to Bristol where he worked as a mechanic. He then worked for the Ministry transporting tanks all over the country, going on to work for BRS and later delivering for BOC before retiring early through ill health.
Esme worked as a pattern maker for English Corrugated and Fry's chocolate factory at Keynsham. She used to design for the boxes of fancy chocolates.
They eventually moved to live in Ruskington to be closer their family in 1995.
Esme belongs to the Evergreen Club in the village and plays short mat bowls. Both of them attend Ruskington Methodist Chapel.
It is very rare to hear of a platinum wedding anniversary and daughter-in-law Zelda Keats (wife of David) said she cold not find a card with 70 years on it. They held a tea party to mark the occasion.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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