When Ron and Beryl Golightly married in 1941, the Second World War was raging and Winston Churchill was Prime Minister.
Eighty years on they are still together and have two daughters, six grandchildren and 11 great and great great grandchildren.
Ron and Beryl married at St Andrew’s Church in Starbeck on January 8 1941, during Ron’s active service as a member of the Grenadier Guards Armoured Division. They still live in Starbeck.
Mrs Golightly described the key to a long and happy marriage as “give and take”. She added:
“We fell in love very young and are still in love in our old age.”
Their big day didn’t go entirely to plan. Ron was forced to apply for a special marriage licence as his army leave was cancelled twice due to the war.
They were left with no best man, so a passer-by had to step in. Luckily he happened to be one of Ron’s friends.
The pair later welcomed two daughters, Margaret in 1942 and Sue in 1945.
Ron and Beryl with their daughters Margaret and Sue in the 1950s.
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The keen Harrogate Town fan spent his time working as an HGV driver when he wasn’t in the crowd at Wetherby Road on match days.
Ron celebrated his 100th birthday in March last year. Unfortunately, the pandemic meant the planned party had to be cancelled. Instead friends and neighbours stood in the street to sing Happy Birthday.
Ron aged 17 in his uniform (left) and celebrating his 100th birthday indoors (right).
Beryl, 98, worked as a shop assistant in Harrogate and was an active volunteer for St John Ambulance. She was the first person in Harrogate to teach first aid in schools.
Beryl received a St John Ambulance award after saving a woman who had collapsed and stopped breathing in Harrogate Conference Centre.
Their celebration was marked by a card from the Queen, the pair’s fourth having already being sent cards for their 70th and 75th anniversaries and Ron’s 100th birthday.
The 80th year of marriage is traditionally marked by oak gifts. The couple received an oak heart crafted by one of their son-in-laws and a wooden bowl with a ha’penny bit dating from 1941.
