Couple mark 60 years' marriage (From Wiltshire Times)

Couple mark 60 years' marriage

9:45am Thursday 6th December 2007 in Corsham By John Ballard

LESS than a month after the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh marked 60 years of marriage, a north Wiltshire couple celebrated their own diamond wedding.

Sam and Gwen Janes, of Kidston Way, Rudloe, near Corsham, reach the milestone today and although their appearances may have altered over the years, their devotion to each other remains as strong as ever.

The couple, who married in Cheltenham on December 6 1947, met at Boscombe Down where they were serving with the Royal Navy.

Mr Janes, known as Janie, joined the Royal Navy in 1939 and during a long naval career served on five aircraft carriers, including HMS Victorious and HMS Centaur, as well as at a number of naval airstations.

With Mr Janes, now 85, being in the navy, the family, including six children born between 1948 and 1960, were frequently uprooted, and moved home 22 times living in places as far apart as Cornwall, Malta and Lossiemouth in Scotland.

They finally settled in Rudloe in 1972 when Mr Janes took a position as a technician apprentice training officer at Copenacre in Corsham until retiring in 1989.

As well as six children the couple have 10 grandchildren who live in various parts of the country.

They celebrated their anniversary at Bowood Golf and Country Club on Sunday with family and friends.

Speaking about the celebration Mr Janes said: "It was absolutely beautiful and just about the best day we've ever had."