'She is my idol and I would be lost without her' - Love letters kept couple going strong

Jim, aged 88, served in the Army between 1945-48 spending two years in Austria and six months in Egypt.

Back in the Black Country, Margaret, 86, would write letters to Jim, which he says got him through his service.

"While I was in the forces Margaret would send me a letter every week. That really kept me going and got me through," he said.

"I had a photo of her too which I would keep in my billet no matter where I went. She is my idol and I would be lost without her."

On Jim's return the couple married at St Phillips Church, West Bromwich, on May 27, 1950. Jim said it was a lovely day.

They had met seven years earlier after Jim was shown a photograph of Margaret by her mother who was a colleague at the Bono in Tipton, where he worked as an engineer.

The pair met soon after at a company dance with Margaret aged 14 and Jim 16.

They later bought a home in Lyndon Grove, West Bromwich, where Jim has lived for 60 years.

Margaret, a former shorthand typist at William Bates and Son, now lives at Waterside Nursing Home in Tipton. Jim visits every day.

Asked what has been the secret to their successful marriage, Jim said: "I should the think the secret has been no arguing with one another. We never have fallen out. That causes a lot of trouble when you start arguing.

"We did not argue because we seemed to like the same things. We went on holiday all over the country together."

The pair have three children and six grandchildren. Margaret has been a keen gardener and Jim a decorator in their spare time.

June Gurney, activities co-ordinator at Waterside Nursing Home, said: "Jim is a fantastic inspiration to us all.

"He is a kind man. A really, really kind man. He is considerate and loving and and nothing is too much trouble for him.

"He is always a pleasure when he is here and the staff really enjoy having him around."