On the 13th December Ray and Jan Hardy celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary at Defoe Court where Jan is a resident.
The Care Home helped with the party and provided entertainment for family and friends, who were joined by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to mark the occasion.
Ray and Jan met when they were in the Army, Jan was a Warrant Officer, and Ray was a Staff Sergeant. Jan was his senior therefore Ray had to salute her after saying good night!
They were stationed in Germany for many years and then also in Singapore. Jan left the Forces and as Ray was still in the regular Army they lived at Ipswich then Catterick. When Ray left the Army, the couple lived in various places in the North East.
In Jan’s younger days she worked in the War Office on Winston Churchill’s staff, in the War Bunker, but has never talked about her role as she was subject to the Official Secrets Act.
When Ray retired they went to live in Pitlochry and Aberfeldy in Scotland eventually returning to the North East and settling in Aycliffe Village. Due to Jan’s health problems she is now in Defoe Court Care Home. Ray lives nearby in a bungalow and though confined to a wheelchair visits her every day on his mobile scooter.
