A KEIGHLEY couple who were married in the same year that India gained independence and the future Queen Elizabeth II married the Duke of Edinburgh will celebrate 70 years together next Wednesday. (June 21)

Harry and Mary Harris, who are both 93, have been living in Keighley for the last 42 years.

Their youngest daughter, Alison Love, said: "It's amazing to think that it's been 70 years, it is hard to describe really. Everyone I've spoken to has said that it's brilliant they've been together for so long through all the ups and downs."

Her parents were both born and brought up in the village of Hillside, near Montrose, Scotland, and have known each other since they were at school.

Mrs Love, who lives in Cullingworth, said: "My father was a navigator on Lancaster and Mosquito bombers in the Second World War. He and my mother married in Hillside not long after the war.

"While they were on honeymoon my father was called up to go to the Far East, so their honeymoon was cut short. He had to leave my mother in Scotland for the first two years of their marriage.

"At that time the Royal Air Force did not recognise wives until an officer was 26.

"My mother went back to work as a wage clerk at Chivers Jams and Marmalade makers. She stayed at the family home until she could join my father in Malaysia almost two years later.

"They had their first child in Malaysia and then went on to have three more.

"In addition to four children – myself, Frances, Barbara Jane, and Peter – they have eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, the youngest of whom is 17.

"They lived in Swindon for 10 years but came to Keighley in 1975. That was when the 'new' Littlewoods store opened in Darley Street, Bradford. My father was senior assistant manager, and he worked there until his retirement in 1986."

Mrs Love said she, her parents and other members of the family were due to meet up on Wednesday of next week for the anniversary celebration in Keighley.

As previously reported in the Keighley News, Mr Harris features in a 2013 military history book about the RAF's most costly bombing raid against Germany during the war.

He and his aircraft's crew were lucky to make it through the raid on the German city of Nuremberg unscathed. A total of 96 British bombers were shot down during the mission in March 1944.

Mr Harris remained in the RAF until 1968.