ONE of the most notorious battles of World War Two failed to keep a Boscombe Down couple apart – and they are now celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary.

Lieutenant Colonel Neville Griffin MBE, known to his friends as Bill, and his wife Dorothy were married on December 9, 1944 at Abbey Wood, South East London.

This was six weeks after Bill, who was a parachutist in the Airborne Forces, returned from Operation Market Garden at Arnhem, which claimed the lives of many men.

“We didn’t know whether we were going to be alive. We survived and have been battling on ever since,” said Bill. “I was one of the lucky blokes that got out.

I had thought to myself on my 21st birthday night that I am going to die tonight. But I got out and here I am to tell the tale.

Six weeks later I got married to Dorothy.”

Bill, now aged 91, has spent much of his life in the military – being posted out to Egypt and Palestine, and Singapore, which meant he had to spend a lot of time away from Dorothy, now 90, and his family.

The couple have lived in Boscombe Down for a number of years after Bill took on civilian officer role when he retired.

He said: “We have had many years together and years of separation through service life.

“But we managed to get through it.”

He added: “I always remember the vicar that married us.

He said the only bit of advice I can give you is never go to bed without making up after a quarrel.

It was a solid bit of advice.

“You have got to be tolerant of each other and put up with each other’s mistakes. Forgive and forget.”

The couple have one daughter, Christine, and two grandchildren and great grandchildren in Australia.

“We are very fortunate and have had a good life and got a good family,” he said.

To celebrate their platinum wedding anniversary they will be enjoying a special meal with family.