Couple celebrate 60th wedding anniversary - thanks to the Blitz

Antipodean Andy · Jun 17, 2008

icRenfrewshire - World War 2 Blitz brought Andy and Betty together

A GEM of a couple have celebrated 60 happy years of marriage – thanks to the Clydebank bombing.

Andy and Betty Hamilton, of Walkinshaw Street, Johnstone, met decades ago after Betty and her family lost everything in the devastating bombing of Clydebank in March 1941, and were moved initially to Dunoon... then on to Drumchapel.

And it was while she worked in a shop in Drumchapel that she caught the eye of Andy Hamilton, a Knightswood man who was serving in the Royal Navy.

Andy said: "I had noticed Betty few times but it wasn’t until we both went to the F&F dancehall in Partick one Sunday night that we got together."

That was in 1943 then Andy was stationed abroad in 1944 for a number of years. The couple were married at the Windsor Rooms in Clydebank in 1948, when he returned, enjoying a honeymoon in Carnoustie.

Andy worked for at the famous Singers factory for a number of years before getting a job at the Rootes Factory in Linwood.

The couple moved to the town in 1963 and their sons Kenneth and Douglas were raised there.

Andy worked at the factory till it closed down in 1981. He then worked for another year before officially retiring at the age of 55, in 1982, which he describes as "the best job I've ever had".

Andy, 82, is a keen bowler and has been a member of Elderslie Bowling Club since 1971. He has won several awards, his proudest being a Scottish bronze medal for the Senior Fours in 2001.

The pair enjoy spending time with their sons, grandchildren Darrin, Iain and Lesley, great-grandson Scott and great-grandaughter Niamh.

A recent spell in hospital for Betty, 83, means plans for a big party and holiday are on hold, but the couple celebrated their June 3 anniversary at home with their close family.

And the secret to a long and happy marriage? "Civility," said Andy. "We’ve never really had an argument.

"I always tell my family, no matter what you have fallen out about, never go to sleep without saying goodnight to each other.

"We’ve had our ups and downs over the years, but we’ve had a wonderful life together."
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Couple celebrate 60th wedding anniversary - thanks to the Blitz

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