Queen's greetings for diamond couple (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Queen's greetings for diamond couple

10:00am Saturday 14th July 2012 in Royal Wootton Bassett By Staff reporter

A card from the Queen was among the greetings that delighted Dave and Jean McVeigh, of Royal Wootton Bassett, on their 60th wedding anniversary on June 28.

Jean, nee Gauci, who is Maltese, was 18 when she first met Dave, then 21.

She said: “He was from Belfast and was serving in the RAF. He knew my sister and asked her about me before we met for the first time on St Patrick’s Day, 1952.

“It was a case of love at first sight for us both, and we were married that June in Birzebbuga (Malta).”

Despite the brevity of their courtship, there have been no regrets. Mrs McVeigh said: “He is the most wonderful husband in the world.”

Dave was posted to Iraq soon after their wedding.

They travelled to postings all over the world and all their children were born in different countries.

Sadly their first daughter died aged three weeks. Later they had another daughter and three sons. Now they have seven grandchildren.

“We’re not able to travel much these days, but I like to potter in the garden,” said Mrs McVeigh, who will be 79 this summer, just before her husband turns 82.