A COUPLE who met on a blind date in post war Britain are set to mark 60 years of marriage.

Terry and Ruth Adams, from Lexden, Colchester, will mark their diamond anniversary on October 31.

The couple will celebrate the special occasion with their three daughters, seven grandchildren and great grandson.

Terry, 86, who grew up in the Forest of Dean, joined the Army at 18 and was posted to North Korea in the Korean War.

He served in Egypt and Tripoli before returning to the UK in 1955 where he was posted in Tewkesbury and later Kent.

His daughter Sally Reeves said: “It was while in Kent he met mum on a blind date.

“They married in Lower Halstow on October 31 1959.

“Further postings followed including Swindon, Barnard Castle, Malaysia and Hong Kong for six years and Northern Ireland.

“His final posting was to Colchester in 1972, which is where they ended up settling as a family.

“He left the Army in 1976, having served for 25 years, and then enjoyed a career in the Civil Service as an equipment inspector until 1998, at which time he then started a well deserved retirement.

“Much of this retirement included time spent playing golf, and during this time he captained the Colchester Veterans team.”

Ruth, 78, who worked as a clerk after leaving school, went on to work in childcare after raising her own children.

Sally said: “Once she had met and married dad, her role as an Army wife took on a different perspective.

“Two daughters followed fairly soon and then most of her time was spent in raising their family, especially when a third daughter arrived whilst stationed in Hong Kong.

“When they settled in Colchester, Ruth enjoyed working as assistant matron for a children’s play school and she did this until she retired in 2001.”

The couple enjoy caravanning and visiting the Isle of Wight.

Sally said her parents believed the secret to a long and successful marriage was “keeping relatively busy, patience and knowing that they have done a good job in raising their three daughters”.