Teenage sweetheart who met in elementary school celebrates 75th wedding anniversary

Ruth and Fred Standford, both 96, met at a sweet sixteen party and have been together ever since. The couple later married on 14 June 1947, the same year that Queen Elizabeth married Prince Phillip

Kid sweethearts who met in elementary school have celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary.

Ruth and Fred Standford, both 96, met at a sweet sixteen party and have been together ever since.

The couple later married on 14 June 1947, the same year that Queen Elizabeth married Prince Phillip.

The couple celebrated their anniversary with family and friends at the Barchester White Lodge Care Home in Braydon, Wilts.

Asked about the secret of a long marriage, Ruth said: “I have no idea.

“I never thought we’d get to it, it’s just one of those things, it seems like Fred has been around forever.”

Fred and Ruth received a card from the Queen, a bouquet of flowers and pins from Royal Wootton Bassett Mayor Pat Farrow.

They were also given an airplane photo of Master Air Crew Brian Kayll and Sgt Isla Cudlipp from RAF Brize Norton.

After attending St Luke’s Primary School in Guildford, Surrey, where the couple first met, Fred joined the RAF aged just 17 and was on active duty during the Second World War.

He flew Lancaster bombers and his service took the family to the Far East, where the couple lived for many years with their three children.

Fred retired at 65 and was the longest-serving officer to maintain his flying hours after retirement and was seen on the day adorned with his many medals.

Ruth and Fred have three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Their son Gordon and daughter Christine visited their parents on this special day.

Christine said: “Mum is lively with a lovely spirit and Dad was a great party-goer growing up.

“They took good care of us. We had a lot of fun as kids and traveled the world for Dad’s work. We lived in Singapore for a few years.

“They have really made the most of their retirement and have had a fantastic holiday sightseeing all over Europe. They had an adventurous life.”