A DEVOTED couple who overcame the tragedies of two World Wars to live a long and happy life together celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary today.

It was love at first sight when Ken and Rosa Crick, of Westview Drive, Woodford Green, met at a crowded dance four years after the fall of Nazi Germany.

The pair found an instant connection as both had suffered in different ways during the Second World War.

Mrs Crick had already been married once in 1936, and was only three weeks from giving birth to her son Robert when her husband Arthur was called up to fight.

He was captured in the Middle East, and sent on a prisoner of war boat to Italy which never arrived at its destination.

“We've never been able to find out what happened,” said Mr Crick. “We've looked through the Italian records but the boat has never been recovered.”

Meanwhile at the same time Mr Crick was “cooped up like a sardine” in a British submarine in the Atlantic.

As the war drew to a close, Mrs Crick faced a future bringing up her baby alone, a situation she knew only too well after her father was killed in the First World War - leaving her mother to bring up the family.

But Mrs Crick's life changed forever when she went for a night out at the Roebuck pub in Buckhurst Hill in early 1949.

“I remember it very well,” said Mrs Crick. “This man came up to me and asked if I'd like a drink but I said I wanted an ice cream instead.”

The pair were soon engaged.

Mr Crick said: “I don't remember too much about proposing but I didn't get down on one knee because I had some new trousers on.”

The pair tied the knot six months after meeting on July 17 1949 at the Methodist Church in St Mary's Road, Leyton.

After marrying, Ken worked as a greengrocer before taking over as manager at the Post Office branch in Debden for 25 years.

Mrs Crick also embarked on a lengthy career, working first in Ilford Sainsbury's and at the London Electricity Board showroom in George Lane, South Woodford.

As Ken, now aged 85, and Rosa, aged 93, have grown old together, they have welcomed the birth of two grandchildren and four great-children.

And the secret to a happy marriage?

“You just have to put up with each other, and overlook each other's flaws,” said Mrs Crick.

“It's common sense really,” added Mr Crick.