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Joan (100) and Jack Bare (102) might just be Britain’s longest married couple after celebrating their 80th wedding anniversary.
The in-love couple, who have recently celebrated their wedding anniversary, haven’t spent a night apart since Tony came home from serving in the war.
The pair, who tied the knot on 3 August 1939, recently moved into a care home in Codsall, South Staffordshire, after they both fell at home weeks prior.
But they refused to leave each other and made sure they moved into a shared apartment.
And although never spending time apart in 80 years might sound difficult for some couples, Joan and Jack say it's the reason their marriage has lasted such a long time.
“Mum and dad never spent a single night apart after the war,” their only daughter, Gill Skelton (75) said.
“They got married just a month before war broke out and dad was initially posted to Portsmouth.
“Mum was so worried about him that I don't think they ever wanted to be apart after that.
“Even earlier this year when they both had a fall, they only agreed that they would go into a home where they could be together, they won't be parted.”
The elderly couple, who were originally from Kendal, Cumbria, met in a cycling club.
Jack served in England and Italy during the allied invasion as a royal electrical and mechanical engineer.
“They met at a cycling club, while mum was going out with someone else. But she met dad and that was it.
“They both did cycling for years and swimming as well.”
“Mum was very worried when he got sent to Portsmouth because there were a lot of bombs dropping.
“I think she just wanted him to be back at home with her, so when he came home, they didn't let each other go.
“They both had a fall earlier this year so social services decided they couldn’t live alone any longer
“They insisted they would stay together.”
The couple used to frequently travel around Europe and during their trips, Joan would teach English to nuns in Italy.
The pair have two granddaughters, Jane and Caroline and four great-grandchildren Toby (17) Charlotte (14) Isabel (12) and Reuben (8).
When it comes to the secret of their long-lasting marriage, the pair said the key is to work out your differences with your partner.
"My advice is to talk about things and don't go to sleep angry,” Joan said.
"I don't believe a couple who say they've never had a cross word, but we always talk about our problems and solve them before the end of the day."
"It was a wonderful experience, a lovely happy marriage,” Jack added.
"We are very lucky to have found each other."
Sources: Magazine Features
