A DAWLISH couple recently celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

Richard and Pat spent their special day locally, having a quiet lunch at The Smugglers Inn, and had a surprise family gathering the following day at a pub in Trusham.

The couple met in 1969 while they were each lodging at different addresses in Dawlish.

Richard, a serving officer in the Royal Navy was recovering from a broken neck he’d suffered in Malta, and Pat was working as a secretary at Exeter University.

‘I asked her out and we just hit it off,’ said Richard.

After making a full recovery, Richard continued his career in the services and the couple were posted to bases at Yeovil and Portland, and two years in Hong Kong.

The have two children, Ian and Susie, and two grandchildren Ben and Amy.

After retiring from the Navy, Richard and Pat settled down to civilian life in the West Country where Richard became a coach driver for Grey Cars and Pat went on to work in a care home and local shop.

Richard praised Pat for all she has done during their 50 years together.

‘Service wives are very different,’ he said. 

‘They have to do everything and be both parents while their husbands are sometimes posted far away for long times. She deserves a medal!’