A KELTY couple married in the shadow of turmoil in Europe celebrated their magnificent 70th anniversary this week.

Friends and family of Bill and Anne MacGregor, who are 95 and 89 years old respectively, gathered to mark the platinum anniversary of their nuptials at the Tabernacle Hall in Keltybridge on 25th March 1944.

But it could have been a completely different story, as just 24 hours after tying the knot brave Bill went off to France to join the World War Two effort.

Fortunately, the Normandy veteran eventually returned to his relieved bride and the pair’s strong Christian faith and total devotion to one another made the next seven decades plain sailing.

Daughter-in-law Mary told the Press, “The secret is true love. They respect one another, have a genuine affection for each other and it obviously works well for them, they are very devoted.” The couple met when Bill, who is originally from Glasgow, was a young soldier and was posted to a training camp in Kinross, where Anne stayed.

And it wasn’t long before Bill, who worked as a commercial traveller, in sales and for the coal board, was asking for permission from Anne’s father to court and marry his daughter.

After having their two children, son James and daughter Marion, they moved to Kelty in 1953, where Anne worked as a children’s nurse.