Gosport couple reveal how they met in the Royal Navy on diamond anniversary

The couple, who met in 1958, were based at HMS Sandling, Glasgow, where Ron was a sailor and Joan, née Swan, was a Wren. She had previously served as a nurse at Haslar before being drafted to Glasgow and it wasn’t long before the couple moved back to Gosport following their marriage in Hull on December 17, 1960.

Ron served in the navy for 33 years, retiring in 1984 having spent the last few years teaching at HM Sultan. In his time in the navy, Ron had the task of building replacement capstans in 1974 that were shipped aboard HMS Fearless to Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour, Antigua. These capstans can still be seen in English Harbour. Ron, 85, and Joan, 80, still live in their bungalow at Peel Common they bought from plans in May 1964, having to wait until September of the same year to move in.

To celebrate their diamond anniversary, the Davidsons had planned with their two daughters, Sheelagh and Helen, grandchildren Chris and Jenny and other family and friends to get together however that is now on hold under current restrictions.