A MARRIED couple whose courtship was interrupted by the Second World War are celebrating their platinum wedding anniversary today.

Ron, 94, and Betty Hickman, 89, from Witney are marking their 70th year as husband and wife and are still in love just as much as they were when they first met.

Their daughter Wendy Osgerby said her mother and father were a formidable team and have led extraordinary lives.

She added: “They met in W R Brookes butcher’s shop where Ron was an apprentice and Betty was a cashier, having moved to Witney from London with her parents and brothers during the war.

“Their courtship was interrupted by the war, although they did become engaged while he was on a 48-hour leave. My mother was 17 and my father 22.

“Ron was not called up initially as he was in a reserved occupation, but he insisted on going to fight.

“His shocking experiences in Italy are recorded in The Imperial War Museum’s archives.”

Mr Hickman was a private in the fifth battalion of the Sherwood Foresters, a regiment that served in Italy during the Second World War.

Mrs Osgerby said her father landed in Salerno in September 1943 for the Allied invasion of Italy.

When Mr Hickman was able to return home to his love, he married Betty, nee Long, at St Mary’s Church in Witney on August 11, 1945.

The newly married couple went into business as butchers and had four children.

She added: “When he returned from the war he returned to W R Brookes for a while, and subsequently managed several butcher’s shops.

“The first shop he owned was in Croydon, but this was a brief venture. He later bought a butcher’s shop on Smith’s Estate, Witney, which must have been in the early 60s.

“He called it R H Hickman and Son. He was made chairman and then president of the Chamber of Trade shortly afterwards.

“My mother and father then bought a shop in Bampton where they remained until retirement in the 1980s.”

Over the years the couple have welcomed ten grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren to their family.

Their daughter added: “They have been able to overcome all the difficulties that life has thrown at them through their love for each other.

“After they retired, they established the Witney branch of the Italian Star Association, and developed their interest in antique toys, regularly exhibiting and giving talks, particularly to schoolchildren.

“Together they are a formidable team, and remain very much in love.”