Polmont couple celebrate 60 years of marriage

Betty and Bill Cochrane added that consideration for each other is also important.

The couple also know a thing or two about obeying orders having met when they were both with the Armed Forces in Cyprus more than 60 years ago.

Betty (80), is from Grangemouth and attended Grange School. She had been working in the dye labs at the ICI and was in the TA when her sense of adventure saw her join the Woman’s Royal Army Corps in 1958.

Bill, who will be 84 next month, was born and brought up in Edinburgh, attending Boroughmuir Senior Secondary School. He was working at the Scottish Machinery Testing Station when he was called up for National Service.

However, he wanted to be a electronic technician and, as that was a three year training, he had to enlist in the Royal Corps of Signals.

The pair were both stationed in Cyprus where their friendship grew into romance and they were married in the All Saints Church, Episkopi on June 4, 1960.

Bill’s intention had been to say in the Army three years then emigrate to Canada.

However, he stayed for 35 years, ending up as a Major.

Over the years the couple had 21 homes but on Bill’s retirement in 1992 settled in Polmont, while he continued to work in the Army Personnel Office in Glasgow for nine years.

The Cochranes have two children, Ross (58) and Sharon (56), four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Plans for a celebration party with family and friends had to be cancelled but the couple plan lots of calls with everyone to mark their day.