Forces lovebirds in Wellingborough celebrate platinum wedding anniversary

A Wellingborough couple are celebrating 70 years of happy matrimony today (Tuesday, February 18) after meeting on a Singapore airbase.

In 1948, 17-year-old Maureen was working as a typist at RAF Changi near where her future husband Duncan MacAngus, who was 19, was stationed at RAF Seletar as a corporal.

Duncan had to make many visits to Changi and it was love at first sight when he saw Maureen across the reception desk.

After he met Maureen a few times he fell head over heels for her but lost his nerve so instead he asked one of his friends to ask her out on his behalf.

When Maureen said she would start dating Duncan, her family made him spend every Sunday for one month earning their trust before they tied the knot in Singapore in 1950.

Throughout their 70-year marriage the pair went on to live on air bases in countries including Germany, France and Hong Kong where they had their five children, Heather, Vickie, Genevieve, Andre and Natalie.

Maureen, who is still a keen member of the WI in Wellingborough, said: "I think we have the same likes and dislikes.

"It's all give and take in a relationship, isn't it? We have mostly moved around from country to country and the children have seen the world through their dad because of our forces life.

"We have had plenty of children and grandchildren to keep us busy over the years."

On Saturday the pair celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary surrounded by their family and friends at their daughter’s home where they were also surrounded by their nine grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.