A HARNHAM couple celebrating 75 years of marriage say they have had a “wonderful life”.

Denys and Kathleen Wilson marked their wedding anniversary on November 27 with a special meal with family at Howard’s House Hotel in Teffont Evias.

Denys, 97, and Kathleen, 94, met in the midst of the Second World War at All Saints Church in Blackheath, London when Denys was based at Woolwich garrison.

Before they were married Denys was injured during a bombing raid in Woolwich. To escape he had to jump out of a window onto the pavement where he damaged his foot and leg and spent quite some time in hospital recovering.

The pair married in 1942 at St Gabriel’s Church in Plymouth – the city where Denys’ was born.

On the secret to a long marriage, Denys said: “If you have got two apples always give the bigger one to your other half.”

And Kathleen added: “It’s about give and take and never argue before the children.”

Denys served in the Army for 40 years and was in the Royal Artillery – following in the footsteps of his father and forefathers. He joined up at the age of 16 in Mauritius, where his father was stationed, which saw him return back to the UK.

Denys' military career saw Denys serve in Singapore and Malaya, Germany and Northern Ireland. He received an MBE for his services in Singapore and Malaya.

And Kathleen, who grew up in Blackheath, served in the WRENS in Plymouth.

After the couple married they had to wait five years until they were able to live together as soldier’s wives were not permitted to live with their serving husbands in Germany during the war. Kathleen went out to Germany in 1947 as part of Operation Union and the couple were reunited once again – living near Hamburg.

The couple returned to England in 1969 from Germany and lived at Bulford Camp until moving to Salisbury where they have been living for more than 40 years.

During Denys and Kathleen moved house 28 times. "There has been a lot of unpacking and packing in our time,” said Denys.

They have two children John and Elisabeth, who died of breast cancer, and four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. They are also members of St Martin’s Church and go when they can.

“We have had a wonderful life,” they said. “We have got a lovely family.”