Chingford couple wed in 1948 after meeting in occupied Belgium, where Ronald Jones was welcomed as an allied solider into his future wife's family home

Ronald Jones, 92, and Simone Jones, who does not wish to reveal her age, of Mornington Road, Chingford, were married in Belgium on September 4, 1948 after Mr Jones was welcomed as an allied soldier into the family home of his wife-to-be for a meal.

Having landed on the beach in 1944 at 8am in Arromanche, Normandy, Mr Jones made his way with the Royal Signals through France to Oudenaarde, Belgium, where he was stationed for only one night in the home town of the young woman then known as Simone Clepkens.

After meeting they corresponded by letter through the Red Cross, with letters sometimes taking six weeks to arrive.

When they married they had seen each other only four times for a total of 30 days.

Boarding a ferry to set sail for England on their wedding day, they moved in to the house they still occupy today five months later.

Mrs Jones, who still teaches Scottish country dancing twice a week, said the key to their successful marriage is putting her husband before herself.

“I think it’s give and take, consider the other person before you consider yourself,” she said.

She said she has always loved dancing and that during their correspondence she hadn’t realised her husband didn’t share her enthusiasm.

“He doesn’t mind me going out provided he doesn’t have to do it,” she said.

Mr Jones, asked if he had a special message for his wife, said: “Just that I love her very much.”

The couple have two children and five grandchildren.