AN Okehampton couple, whose wartime marriage only took place after an overnight train journey from Liverpool by the bridegroom, celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary next week.
Jack and Pearl Cook were married on December 22, 1943 at Okehampton Parish Church by the Rev Compton.
But the wedding almost didn't happen at all — Jack, who served with an anti-tank regiment during the war, came home on leave from the Middle East to marry Pearl but arrived at the wrong port.
He made it to Okehampton at 7am on his wedding day, having travelled on the overnight train from Liverpool Lime Street Station. He had originally expected to come in on a boat to Southampton.
Jack, 85, came from Cheshire, moving to Okehampton during the war years. Pearl, 84, whose maiden name was Steer, has lived in Okehampton all her life, except for a spell during the war working in an aircraft factory in Gloucester.
Pearl said because theirs was a wartime wedding, it was a 'no-frills' affair.
After being discharged in 1945, Jack worked for 40 years in Meldon Quarry. He said although working in the quarry could be a dangerous job, he enjoyed it because he was working with a 'smashing bunch of chaps'.
Jack was closely involved with St John Ambulance training at the quarry, and in 1984 was awarded a medal and made a Serving Brother for his 35 years' service with St John.
After her children had grown up, Pearl worked for all three schools in the town, in the kitchens of Okehampton Primary School, Okehampton Secondary Modern and Okehampton College.
The couple have lived in the same house in Simmons Way, and remember it being built more than 50 years ago.
Jack was a member of the Okehampton Disabled Fellowship for many years and was a former vice-chairman of the organisation. He also served as chairman of Okehampton Friendly Circle.
Jack and Pearl said they thought the key to a successful marriage was 'being able to laugh' and not take things too seriously.
The couple have two children, daughter Wendy and son Barry and two grandchildren.