A COUPLE who married after the groom had made a treacherous winter journey back home from his wartime posting in Scotland today celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Bill and Mary Tait were married at St Clement's Church in Scarcroft Road on January 28, 1942, just over four years after they first met in York.

Bill was conscripted in February 1940 and was serving in Scotland with the 51st Highland Division when he got leave to get married to Mary back in York.

"When I got to Inverness station they said I hadn't got a cat in hell's chance of getting back to York because of the snow," he said.

"I got the train at 2pm on the 26th and it took 17 hours to get back to York."

Bill and Mary were separated for another four years after their wedding until Bill came out of the Army in April 1946.

He went on to work for the Yorkshire Co-operative Society for more than 50 years, working in several branches in the York area, and working his way up to the post of deputy food trades officer, based at Clementhorpe. He was a member of the union Usdaw for more than 50 years.

Mary worked at a drapery shop in Market Street in her early life, before also working for the Co-op for some time. Bill took part in several sporting activities including cricket and hockey, many of them connected with the Co-op. The couple also have successful sporting nephews. Mary's nephew, Jonny Liddell, played for Leeds Rhinos and is now playing for York Wasps and Bill's nephew, Barry Tait, played for York City before moving to Doncaster Rovers and has been a scout for Manchester United and Leeds United.

The couple have lived in their Russell Street home for more than 50 years.

Bill said: "I believe both of us have been rather fortunate. We've worked at it and I think you have to love and have a high regard for each other. That is very important."

The couple will be celebrating with a meal for family and friends in February.

Updated: 15:31 Monday, January 28, 2002