A COUPLE remain utterly devoted 70 years into their marriage, despite having only been able to 'officially' mark 17 anniversaries.
Phyllis and Fred Childs were wed on February 29, 1944, the only date available when Mr Childs, a "Desert Rat" during the Second World War, had two weeks' leave.
But the Reigate couple have made sure they celebrate each year and on Friday they marked their platinum achievement with a party at Wray Common Nursing and Residential Home, where Mrs Childs now lives.
"I feel very lucky that we have still got each other," said Mrs Childs, 88. "We have always been very happy. I have always been crazy about him and I still am.
"We are very much in love.
"He has always been a very considerate husband.
"I cannot believe it's been all these years."
The lovebirds met in 1942 when 19-year-old Mr Childs, who was born in a Bedfordshire workhouse, was stationed with the Army at Tidworth in Wiltshire. His 16-year-old future wife lived locally and although they can't remember the first time they met, they soon hit it off.
"After the war I was sent to the Pendell Army Camp in Merstham, Phyllis came up and we have stayed here ever since, first in Redhill, then in Reigate," said Mr Childs, 91. "We have had our ups and downs like everybody does, but if we had our squabbles it was nice making it up afterwards. Our squabbles are only little ones compared to most people."
Summing up what makes a successful marriage, he said: "It's all about give and take."
Mr Childs worked as a mechanic at the Philips laboratories in Salfords and, after a spell as a hairdresser, his wife worked as a driver, transporting pathology samples for East Surrey Hospital.
The husband-and-wife team, who have one son and one granddaughter, share many interests, and formed a formidable bridge pairing, winning lots of competitions.
