IT was the year for love stories.In 1936 Edward VIII controversially abdicated from the throne to marry Wallis Simpson, forcing her to seek refuge in Felixstowe.
IT was the year for love stories.
In 1936 Edward VIII controversially abdicated from the throne to marry Wallis Simpson, forcing her to seek refuge in Felixstowe.
And in the same Suffolk seaside town another couple were deeply in love and tying the knot.
Seventy years have passed since then and Frederick and Kathleen Willoughby are celebrating their platinum wedding anniversary.
The couple met when Kathleen's sister, Annie, invited the now 88-year-old out for a day with her, her boyfriend and his friend.
When Kathleen (nee Gorman) laid eyes on Frederick, now 93, the couple fell in love.
The couple married on August 15 1936, two months after Wallis and Edward famously married in France without a single member of the British royal family in attendance.
Rod Widdrington, son-in-law of the couple, said: “It is a really sweet story about how they met because Margaret married her boyfriend and Fred and Kath married too.”
Mrs Willoughby said: “I think the secret to our long marriage is not arguing unless it is very necessary.
“We love each other very much and get along very well.
“We enjoy going to the club and go every day for a cup of tea and a chat before going to do some shopping.”
During the Second World War Fred served in the army in the north African desert, Italy and the Middle East, and Kath worked at the Woolwich Arsenal before joining the RAF.
The couple had a daughter, Pauline, and two sons, Freddy and Tony, and moved to Park Avenue, five years ago. They had previously lived in south east London.
Mr Widdrington said: “They are both still very active and get out every day to visit the Senior Citizen's Club, in Orwell Road, in the town.
“They had a celebration with the others who go along to the club as well as celebrating on a separate event with 35 members of their family and friends.”
In 1936 the BBC made its first broadcast, the Olympics at Berlin were overshadowed by Hitler trying to prove his argument of Aryan racial superiority and cocktails were first introduced to London nightclubs
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