Diamond day for Hove Edge romantics
DUTCH courage and romance were toasted by one diamond couple when they celebrated 60 years of happy marriage.
Devoted pair Bill and Enid Leeuwenkamp, of Bole Hill Park, Hove Edge, met in 1946 in a coffee shop in London.
They enjoyed a whirlwind romance, and six decades on they are 'more in love than ever.'
Mrs Leeuwenkamp said: "I had gone down to London with a friend.
"Bill had come over here to do his army training and he was on his first leave in London, he was with his friend and we met by chance in the coffee shop, and that was it.
"He then went to Indonesia for three years, he was only supposed to go for six months but he ended staying in the jungle for three years."
Mr Leeuwenkamp, who was born in the Hague, was stationed with the Dutch army in the UK after the Second World War.
Mr Leeuwenkamp said: "We kept in contact by sending letters, but because I was deep in the jungle it could take up to three months before I got them. When I came back I just took it for granted that we would get married."
Mr Leeuwenkamp was honoured with a bravery award in 2001 for his wartime gallantry, after an extraordinary act of courage saved the lives of two of his comrades.
The couple who now have two daughters, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren married on May 20, 1950, in St George's Church, Lee Mount, Halifax aged 22.
Mrs Leeuwenkamp said: "Things were different then, it was just a small affair, we only had a small families.
"While Bill was away I was in contact with his family his father spoke very good English so I got to know then really well, I went to stay with them in Holland and made arrangements."
The couple lived in Holywell Green and Elland before settling at Bode Hill Park 23 years ago.
Mr Leeuwenkamp said: "When I came to this country in 1950 I only had a three month visa and I was not allowed to work paid or voluntary. I thought it was very strange that I was getting married before I had a job."
Soon after the wedding Mr Leeuwenkamp got a job as a factory labourer for engineering company Drakes where he worked for a year.
After an 18 month stint in another factory Mr Leeuwenkamp got a job working for Halifax firm RM Mallinson and Co, where he worked for more than 30 years.
The couple, who are both 82, marked the occasion with two celebrations.
Mrs Leeuwenkamp said: "Our family arranged a party at Prego.
"Because we are all scattered around the country it is hard to get everyone together, our eldest grandson is in the RAF and is stationed in Telford. Our youngest daughter lives in Nottingham and we have another granddaughter in Newcastle."
And the couple are planning another party with friends.
The pair, who are members of a wine club, will toast their big achievement with a glass of their favourite tipple.
Mrs Leeuwenkamp said: "Its quite comical really, we have both been looking for cards for each other but we can not seem to find any, there must not be many people who make it to their diamond wedding anniversary".
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Weather for Halifax
Wednesday 23 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 14 C
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