Diamond Couple - Bill and Doreen

The couple now live in Normandale, Bexhill, but for many years ran an optometrist's business in Mount Street, Battle.

And it was in the 1066 town where they made many friends and became involved in several charitable groups.

Bill, 84, was a founder member of the Muffin Club in Battle, launched with the help of Ernie Trumble and with the aim of supporting other worthy institutions.

"For instance, if the Scouts needed new equipment we'd raise money to help them," said Bill. "Every year we raised at least 1,000."

Bill was also a freemason and is a former president of Battle Rotary Club. During their 17 years in the town, the couple lived in North Trade Road.

Doreen, 82, said: "We came to Sussex to retire, but it didn't quite work out like that.

"Not only did Bill keep going with his optometry, but I helped him.

"And even when we moved to Bexhill 23 years ago, Bill helped out with domiciliary work at Goddard and Rogers, the opticians in Endwell Road."

Both Bill and Doreen are originally from London's East End - Bill from Custom House and Doreen from Plaistow.

During the Blitz of 1940 Doreen had the unpleasant experience of being trapped under rubble for several hours after a German bomb demolished her home.

Bill was also bombed out by the Luftwaffe, and went on to train as a Royal Navy telegraphist at the shore-based TS Bounty beside the River Severn in Worcester.

He later saw service aboard a RN Patrol Service minesweeper operating out of Dover, and recalled being paid danger money of 1/6(7.5p) a day on top of his wage.

He and Doreen started going out together while he was on leave, and within four months he had proposed.

The couple were married on April 29, 1950, at the Ascension Church, Custom House E16.