Fire service pair still hold torch for each other... after 60 years

Robert (81) and Jeanette Dick (79), who live in Brightons, were married in London’s Norland Salvation Army Hall on March 9, 1957, and have spent the majority of their long and happy marriage in the Falkirk area.

Bobby, as he is known, is a Falkirk Bairn and he met London girl Jeanette in 1954 while he was doing his national service with the Royal Scots down in the English capital city prior to service in Egypt and Cyprus.

Lifelong Salvationists, the couple actually met through the Salvation Army and, once Bobby had completed his national service, he took his new bride up to Scotland to start their married lives together. Bobby had a long and successful career in the fire service, reaching the rank of divisional officer, and retired in 1992 after 33 years of service. He was made an MBE in the 1993 New Year’s Honours list.

Jeanette also served in the fire service and she retired in 2003 after 27 years.

When they were not serving the community through their day jobs, the couple were helping others as members of the local Salvation Army Corps.

They had three children and over the years their family has grown to include five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

According to son Alistair, the secret of Bobby and Jeanette’s 60 years of happy marriage was having such wonderful children!

The couple will be heading to Gleneagles to mark their diamond anniversary and will be having a celebration with family at the weekend.