They met on a military base in Singapore more than 60 years ago, tied the knot and haven’t looked back since.

Now Ron and Beryl Williams are preparing to celebrate their diamond wedding surrounded by friends and family next month.

Ron, 82, was born and grew up in Southampton, leaving school aged 14 to work with his father, who was a boat-builder and fisherman on the River Itchen before getting a job at the docks.

At 18 he volunteered for the RAF and was sent to Singapore in 1951 where he met Beryl, who was already serving there.

Beryl, 83, hails from Nottinghamshire but when the couple returned from Singapore they settled in Duke Street in Southampton – Ron returning to work at the docks until his retirement aged 72, while Beryl worked in a cake shop before having their three children, Dawn, Paul and Pete, then worked at Debenhams until she retired.

When asked the secret to a long and happy marriage, Beryl said: “We never argue and if we ever have a disagreement it’s done and finished.”

Now retired and living in Sholing, the grandparents-of-eight and great-grandparents-of-six are preparing to mark the big day on August 14.