Frank Clarke was posted abroad and forced to abandon his new wife Doris and their newborn son.

"It was more than difficult to leave the family, but I was going to defend my country," said Frank, now 85.

He served in Palestine, France and Tunisia where he was injured in action.

"I was struck by shrapnel in the face and the neck," said Frank.

"I thought that I might not get home again because there was so much life being lost around me."

But Frank did make it back to the young woman he'd met through his own sister.

Doris used to commute from Salford and worked with Frank's sister in a Manchester warehouse.

"Frank was just a boy when I first saw him," said Doris.

But visits to the Clarkes' household became more frequent and one night Frank plucked up the courage to ask Doris out.

"He asked me to go out with him after walking me to the bus stop," said Doris.

Frank loved Doris' smart and confident outlook on life.

"She was something different," said Frank.

Last week, the couple, who have two sons, celebrated their Diamond Wedding with a party.

"We've stuck together over the years because we made a vow in church and we have faith in that vow," said Frank.

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