A Westgate couple who were childhood sweethearts celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary today (April 1).
Bob and Ruth Baker first met as 13-year-olds at school in south-east London. Bob’s house had been bombed and so the family moved and he started a new school, sparking a lifelong romance after meeting Ruth.
Even distance could not keep them apart. Ruth’s family, who had run a corner shop and post office, sold up and moved to East Kent to escape the bombing and at 16 Bob was conscripted into the forces, serving with the Royal Corps of Signals until being demobbed in October 1948.
During that time the pair continued to write to each other.
On his return Bob got a job as a postman in London and at the weekends he would cycle all the way to Kent to see Ruth.
On April 1, 1950, Bob, then 23, and Ruth, then 22, were married at St James’s Church in Westbrook.
Eventually Bob was able to get a transfer to a postman’s job in Margate and in 1956 the couple bought their first – and only- home in Westgate where they still live.
They have five children – Marion, Christine, Robert who sadly passed away in 1984, Ian and Cheryl- eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and a great-great grandson.
Daughter Marion said: “Up until covid Mum and Dad both played golf at North Foreland, mum was very good at golf and even beat the men’s captain in a competition. When she was 70 she took up painting and weas very good at animal faces.
“Dad loves his food and mum has always done home cooking with lots of fresh veggies.
“Mum love everyone and always tells us how much she loves us. Dad is very strong-willed and traditional. All they want is to be together.”
The couple’s 70th anniversary could not be properly celebrated because of the covid pandemic and so the plan is to make sure there are plenty of visitors throughout the day today and a special dinner will be cooked by daughter Christine.
The pair, now aged 96 and 97, will also receive a special card from the King.
Marion said: “They can’t get out now but the family will visit through the day. We will have balloons, cards and cake. When they got married they could only have sponge cake because there was still rationing so I have made them a special fruit cake and there will be some Prosecco and orange juice,
“75 years is a feat, it’s absolutely marvellous.”
