A PAIR of war-time sweethearts who fell in love while on duty for their country have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

Graham and Enfys Hobbs, of 28 Cowell Road in Garnant, marked their platinum anniversary with a congratulations card from Her Majesty, The Queen on September 9.

The pair met while Enfys was a 20-year-old serving with the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) in Ireland in 1943.

Graham, now aged 93, was also stationed in the Emerald Isle as an aircraft fitter with the RAF.

The couple fell in love and married at Christchurch in Garnant in 1944.

Following the war they made their home in the house where Enfys, now 91, was born and grew up - and they remain there to this day.

When Graham – who had joined the RAF before the outbreak of the war aged 17 – was demobilised, he went underground and spent 26 years working as a fitter at various collieries in and around the Amman and Gwendraeth Valleys.

Graham was born in Chepstow, but went to school in Newport, making him – in Enfys’ eyes at least – “almost Welsh”.

“He has even managed to learn some Welsh after all these years,” said Enfys, though Graham might deny it.

The couple had two children – Carol Grundy and Neil Hobbs, the chairman of the South Wales Cricket Association – three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

When it comes to the secret of the success, Enfys is in no doubt.

“I am the bossy one,” she said with a grin while Graham nodded quietly.

“The only problem is he has never taken any notice.”

Whatever their secret it has certainly been a recipe for success.

Along with the card from her Majesty, the couple received well-wishes from First Minister Carwyn Jones and a visit from Daff Davies,the chairman of Carmarthenshire County Council.

The couple celebrated their special day with a slap-up meal surround by all their family at the Red Lion Inn in Llandybie.